Apple Strongly Opposes Breaking Up Google (And Says Why)

Thursday 26th December 2024 05:07 PM

In the legal battle for its survival, Google can count on a major ally: Apple. But it is rather self-serving support. Indeed, remember that in 2022, Google would have paid $20 billion to Cupertino to be Safari's default search engine. We therefore understand that the Californian firm does not really want to give up this nice little income.

a sword of Damocles

Last August, the Mountain View company lost in court and was found guilty of anti-competitive practices to establish and maintain its monopoly in online search. According to American procedure, he still has to wait for his sentence to be pronounced in 2025.

But this decision, which calls into question the firm's measures aimed at preserving its monopoly in online research, could have consequences. profound repercussions on the digital ecosystem and relations between companies.

In practice, authorities could impose changes in the way Google operates, such as the end of exclusivity agreements with partners (bye bye the annual pension), or the obligation to make it more accessible choosing another search engine by default on devices. And of course, the obligation to separate from Chrome. However, the most used internet browser in the world constitutes a major access point to the search engine, thus undermining the chances of potential competitors.

Apple's position

Under these conditions, Apple filed a request in court to intervene in the trial to defend its agreement with Google. According to a spokesperson, Apple would feel obliged to protect its commercial interests.

In this document, Eddy Cue also made some revelations, notably why Apple would not plan to create a search engine, like Google. A priori, the development of such a tool would cost billions of dollars et would take many yearsit would involve significant human resources. In short, this would amputate other growth sectors which the company is focusing on (AI?).

In addition, the Vice President evolves rapidly thanks to artificial intelligence, it would therefore be economically risky (two words that Apple and Tim Cook don't like at all) to create a search engine. Finally, for the viability of this engine, the firm could be led to sell targeted advertisingwhich would involve other points of contention. Indeed, this activity would go against its principles of confidentiality. Above all, we will remember that this would not be profitable for Apple!