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The search engine agreement between Apple and Google could be challenged in court again. Although a US federal judge has already ruled that Google had established an illegal search monopoly, the collaboration with Apple has largely been allowed to continue. Now, the US Department of Justice and several states are appealing. This brings Apple's role in the search engine market back into sharper focus in the antitrust dispute.
Apple has been a key player in the online search market for years. With iOS and Safari, the company controls one of the most important gateways to the internet. The fact that Google pays billions to be the default search engine on Apple devices is not a minor detail, but a crucial lever in the market. The ongoing legal proceedings demonstrate how deeply intertwined regulatory decisions, economic interests, and technological developments such as artificial intelligence are.
Background: The antitrust ruling against Google
In August 2024, US Federal Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had used illegal means to secure its monopoly in the US online search market. This applied not only to Google's own products, but also to contracts with partners such as Apple.
The court found that these exclusionary agreements had significantly distorted competition. In particular, the practice of placing Google as the default search engine on Apple devices in exchange for large sums of money contributed, according to the ruling, to the systematic squeezing out of competing search engine providers.
The remedial measures phase
Following the verdict, a roughly year-long period began to determine the specific consequences Google would face. During this time, numerous witnesses testified, including representatives of affiliated companies such as Apple.
Some drastic measures were under consideration. Among the options discussed were a possible forced spin-off of the Chrome browser or a complete ban on exclusive agreements between Google and Apple. For a long time, it remained unclear how far the court would actually go.
Apple's appearance in court
During one of the hearings, Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Services, commented on the significance of the search engine agreement with Google. He clearly downplayed its long-term relevance and pointed to the rapid progress in artificial intelligence.
According to his account, traditional web search could become increasingly less important due to AI-powered systems. Even the iPhone itself is not immune to losing relevance due to new technological paradigms. From this perspective, the existing exclusivity agreement appears less crucial for Apple's future.
Judge Mehta's ruling in September
In September 2025, Judge Mehta published his ruling on the remedial measures. The verdict was considerably more moderate than expected and was widely considered advantageous for Google. It also initially provided legal certainty for Apple.
What Apple and Google are still allowed to do
The search engine partnership between Apple and Google can continue. The court rejected a general ban on payments for default search engine status, arguing that this would harm both partners and consumers.
Google is allowed to continue paying Apple to keep it the default search engine in Safari. However, this default status cannot be exclusive. Furthermore, Google is permitted to compensate browser developers like Apple for maintaining this status, provided certain conditions are met.
This includes allowing other search engines to continue being advertised, enabling different default settings depending on the operating system version or private mode, and allowing the default search engine to be changed at least once a year.
The court also found that so-called selection screens had not measurably improved competition in the search engine market. Apple is therefore not obligated to introduce new selection interfaces in Safari or iOS.
The ruling also contains clear guidelines in the area of generative AI. Contracts may not prevent Apple from distributing other AI products, general search engines, or browsers alongside Google. In practice, this means that Apple may integrate or promote non-Google assistants or chatbots, even if Google remains the default search engine.
What Google will no longer be allowed to do in the future
Any form of exclusivity is prohibited. Google may not demand that Apple make Google the only search or AI option, or prevent Apple from prominently displaying competing offers.
Also prohibited are financial incentives that are close to exclusivity. Google may not offer higher revenue shares, bonuses, or other benefits to effectively bind Apple to an exclusive partnership or to link multiple Google services together.
Another key point is the time limit. Revenue sharing must not depend on a Google service remaining the default for more than twelve months. This gives competing providers the opportunity to submit an alternative offer to Apple every year.
Google's appointment and the next step
In December 2025, the court issued its final ruling. Google subsequently appealed to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, also requesting that parts of the ruling be stayed pending a decision. However, this did not conclude the case.
The Department of Justice and the states are also appealing
According to recent court documents, the US Department of Justice and a group of states have also officially filed appeals. The states involved include California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The appeal is directed against the final judgment issued on December 5, 2025, as well as against all orders incorporated into that judgment. Which specific parts are being challenged is not yet known.
However, it is considered likely that the Justice Department and the states will try to have as much of Judge Mehta's ruling overturned as possible. This could also affect those sections that have so far left the agreement between Google and Apple untouched.
Google has not yet commented on the cross-appeal. No statement is expected from Apple either. The company is likely waiting to see if and to what extent the contractual terms actually change.
Apple gains time – but this is a long-term risk
No noticeable changes are expected in the short term. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals is not expected to rule until the end of this year or even later. Until then, the search engine agreement between Apple and Google will remain in its current form.
In the long term, however, the proceedings could have significant repercussions. Should the appeals court apply stricter standards, Apple might be forced to reassess its search and partnership strategy. The case highlights that, despite its role as a contractual partner, Apple is increasingly becoming the focus of regulatory debates, even if the primary focus remains on Google's market power. (Image: Apple / Google)
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