Apple has expressed interest in participating in the upcoming U.S. antitrust case against Google to safeguard its revenue-sharing agreement with the search giant. The company aims to protect its interests without relying on Google, according to a report by Reuters.
Under this agreement, Google pays Apple billions of dollars annually to remain the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser. Court documents reveal that Apple does not intend to develop its own search engine even if the payments from Google cease. In 2022 alone, Apple earned approximately $20 billion through this partnership.
Apple is preparing to call witnesses to testify in the trial scheduled for April. Prosecutors are expected to argue that Google should divest key business units, such as its Chrome browser and Android operating system, to restore competition in online search.
Apple stated, “Google can no longer adequately represent Apple’s interests as it is now focused on defending itself against efforts to break up its business.”
The U.S. Department of Justice’s case against Google could bring significant changes to how users search for information online. Google has proposed relaxing its default agreements with certain browser makers, mobile device manufacturers, and wireless carriers but has made no indication of ending its revenue-sharing deals tied to search-based advertising.
A Google spokesperson declined to comment on the matter when asked on Tuesday.
