Google's Default Search Engine Agreements with Apple Ruled Antitrust Violation in US

TapTechNews August 6th news, a federal judge in the US federal court ruled today that the default search engine agreements signed by Google with companies such as Apple violated the antitrust law. Judge Amit Mehta believes that these agreements have reduced competition in the search industry and given Google an unfair advantage.

The US Department of Justice sued Google several years ago, accusing it of unjustly monopolizing the search industry and the online advertising market. The court ruled today that Google is indeed a monopoly enterprise and uses its position to maintain the monopoly, violating Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Although Apple was not listed as a defendant, its multibillion-dollar cooperation with Google is one of the keys to the Department of Justice's case. Google pays Apple billions of dollars every year to maintain its default search engine position on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It was disclosed in court that in 2022 alone, Google paid Apple 20 billion US dollars (TapTechNews note: currently about 143.411 billion RMB).

Judge Mehta's ruling today clearly pointed out that the agreements between Google and companies such as Apple are anti-competitive. It has not been determined what kind of penalty Google will face and the specific impact of this ruling on Google's cooperation with Apple.

This is a significant risk for Apple, which heavily relies on Google's revenue to drive its growing services business, which reached a record 24.2 billion US dollars in the third quarter of 2024. If Apple and Google are forced to adjust their cooperative relationship, it may have a significant impact on Apple's business.

It is reported that another case against Google's advertising technology is scheduled to go to trial in September this year.