Apple is not the only major tech company grappling with antitrust inquiries as Google is also facing increasing scrutiny due to its dominant market position. The agreement between Google and Apple regarding Safari’s default search engine was seen as a potential breach of antitrust regulations, and a recent court has determined that Apple cannot participate in this case.
Apple will not be able to join in Google Search antitrust trial
This week, US District Court Judge Amit Mehta dismissed an urgent request from Apple to halt a trial that could significantly alter the functionality of Google Search. As reported previously, Apple sought to be part of the proceedings to safeguard its interests, fearing that alterations to Google Search could cause “irreparable harm” to the company.
However, as per the judge’s decision (cited by The Verge), Apple failed to present convincing evidence of how it would be harmed by these changes. “Apple has not met the ‘stringent requirements’ for obtaining the ‘extraordinary relief’ of a stay pending appeal, therefore its motion is denied,” the ruling states.
In any case, Apple (once again) does not offer specific details. It does not clarify why status as a party is essential to present the evidence it wishes to show, nor how this evidence would differ from what has already been reviewed during the liability phase. It similarly does not pinpoint any differences between the remedy proposed by Google and what it prefers. Without such details, the court cannot conclude that Apple will experience the “certain and great” harm necessary to justify a stay.
Apple’s action is not surprising. Although it is not a party to the case, Google compensated Apple $20 billion in 2022 to be the default search engine for Safari. It is estimated that Apple receives similar payments each year to uphold this agreement. Should Google be compelled to terminate this deal, Apple’s services revenue could face significant reductions.
An antitrust lawsuit initiated by the US Department of Justice against Google in 2020 accused the company of engaging in anti-competitive behaviors regarding its search engine and online advertising platform. Judge Mehta determined last year that Google qualifies as a monopoly. The company is currently appealing this decision, but it may ultimately need to divest certain segments of its operations, including Android, Chrome, and Search.
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