Newly revealed court documents from the Department of Justice’s antitrust case against Google show that in 2022, Google paid over $20 billion to secure its position as the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser, surpassing the reported $18 billion payment in 2021. This significant deal, kept confidential by both parties, has been a focal point in the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit against Google, highlighting a long-standing agreement between the two tech giants dating back to 2005. The deal has been lucrative for Apple, contributing about 15% to its operating income in 2021. Despite being competitors in the smartphone market, Google and Apple aim to collaborate closely, with Google’s president of global partnerships emphasizing the desire for a deep partnership. However, tensions have arisen between the two companies, as revealed in court documents where Google’s CEO mentioned moments of competition over rival products.
