Google paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 alone for the default status: docs

Google paid as much as $20 billion to Apple in 2022 alone to become the default search engine in its Safari web browser, according to unredacted documents that surfaced Thursday on the eve of closing arguments that will conclude the Justice Department’s historic antitrust trial.

The huge sum appeared in unsealed testimony from Apple CEO Eddy Cue in the early days of the trial last fall, marking the first public confirmation of the figure.

The comments were released as part of a series of documents and were first reported by Bloomberg.

DOJ antitrust lawyers have argued that Google relies on huge payments to Apple and other partners to ensure its search engine is enabled by default on most devices.

The FBI says such deals have allowed Google to maintain an illegal monopoly on online search and a roughly 90% share of the overall market.

The DOJ and Google will make their closing arguments on Thursday and Friday.

Judge Amit Mehta’s decision on whether Google has retained a monopoly is expected later this year.

If Mehta issues a judgment against Google, a separate legal proceeding will take place to determine an appropriate remedy.

Google and Apple fought to keep the details of their agreement secret during the trial.

Antitrust watchdogs sharply criticized Mehta for allowing parts of the trial, including testimony from key witnesses like Cue, to be initially shielded from the public.

When asked during the trial whether Google is spending billions on off-the-shelf deals, CEO Sundar Pichai admitted: “We absolutely see value.”

One mistake occurred last November, when a Google witness accidentally revealed that Google pays Apple a 36% share of Safari search ad revenue.

Google layer John Schmidtlein is said to ‘visibly cringe’ during the confession in court.

The FBI said Google’s total payments to secure standard search deals with Apple and other companies will reach $26.3 billion in 2021.

Competition experts have put forward several possible outcomes if Google loses the case, including the possible implementation of a “choice screen” that allows users to select their preferred default search engine or even the possible breakup of the company.