How Google wanted the EU’s help to stop Apple’s search plans

The US vs Google trial has been spilling quite a few beans over Google’s search monopoly. The search giant spent billions, reportedly paying Apple around $18 billion in 2021, to remain the default search engine in Safari on Macs, iPads, and iPhones. But the money was not for that alone, it was to keep Apple from developing its own search engine.

Google had been keeping a close eye on Apple’s advancements in search technology for a few years, uncertain if its long-standing partner and competitor would eventually create its own search engine. As per a report by The New York Times, these concerns were amplified in 2021 when Google supposedly paid Apple roughly $18 billion to ensure that Google’s search engine remains the default option on iPhones.