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Google has appealed a major US antitrust ruling that accused the company of maintaining an illegal search monopoly. The legal battle centers around Google’s multibillion-dollar agreement to remain the default search engine on Apple devices. The case began after the US Department of Justice accused Google of maintaining a monopoly in online search, partly through a multibillion-dollar deal with Apple to make Google the default search engine on Safari.
Google has appealed a 2024 ruling that found the company broke antitrust law by paying to remain the default search engine on iPhones. The company filed its appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, arguing that the verdict was wrong and that its success came from offering a better product, not unfair business practices.
Google said it became the top search engine through better technology, larger investments, and hard work. The company argued that Apple selected Google Search for its devices since it offered the best option for users.
The company specifically wants AI firms like OpenAI to be excluded from receiving such data. Google argued that AI products did not even exist during the period examined in the government’s case, making it unfair for them to benefit from Google’s search information. The company also said AI firms are ‘already succeeding as wildly as any technology in human history without any need to free-ride on Google’s success.’
The appeal also argues that Apple was always free to promote other search engines on its devices. Google pointed to Safari browser settings, where users can switch to rival search options. According to Google, any idea of exclusivity came from Apple’s ‘sound business reasons.’
Google is also challenging remedies introduced after the antitrust ruling. Under the court’s order, the company must begin sharing search-related data, user interaction information, and search results access with competitors. Google is seeking to undo those requirements.
Google stated that it did nothing that ‘harm(ed) the competitive process.’ The company said no competing search engines were blocked from making better offers to Apple or other partners, such as Mozilla. It also argued there was no evidence showing users would have chosen a different search engine if Google had not signed agreements to be the default choice. ‘Google just prevailed in the marketplace fair and square,’ the company said in the filing, as per MacRumors.
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Court proceedings had previously revealed details of Google’s arrangement with Apple. Under the agreement, Google remained the default search engine in Safari across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, while Apple received 36 percent of the advertising revenue generated through Safari searches. Documents presented during the case showed Google paid Apple nearly $20 billion in 2022 alone to maintain that placement.
One of the most closely watched antitrust battles in the technology industry. The outcome could influence how regulators approach default agreements involving browsers, smartphones, and AI-powered search products in the future.
