Google CEO Sundar Pichai reveals annual $10 billion payment to Apple for search dominance

Amidst the unfolding antitrust case in the United States spearheaded by Epic Games, Alphabet's CEO, Sundar Pichai, revealed that Google allocates 36% of Safari search revenue to Apple, solidifying its role as the default search engine on Apple devices. The revelation came as a Google expert shared details during the Washington DC antitrust trial, later confirmed by Pichai himself.

Epic Games vs. Google:

In the courtroom, Epic Games' attorney accused Google of paying Samsung less than half of what it pays Apple for the same arrangement. Pichai acknowledged the possibility but emphasized the diverse nature of agreements, stating, "It is like apples and oranges," while underscoring that Google still competes fiercely with Apple.

Pressed on the exact amount paid to Apple, Pichai admitted it was over $10 billion. The attorney pushed back, suggesting it was $18 billion.

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Tech Giants Clash:

Pichai recently testified in Washington DC, addressing Epic Games' allegations that Google stifled competition and innovation through its dominant search engine. Pichai defended Google's practices, highlighting the company's contribution to affordable smartphones by providing Android to manufacturers like Samsung in exchange for featuring Google's search engine and services.

Google faces two antitrust lawsuits from the US Justice Department and allegations from Epic Games, accusing the tech giant of maintaining a monopoly over app distribution through the Google Play Store.

In the courtroom, Pichai also admitted Android's shortcomings in the tablet market, citing a past attempt that lacked compelling apps compared to Apple. He noted the impact on market success and revealed Google's move to reassign employees from tablet projects to others in 2019. Presently, Google offers the Pixel tablet and a foldable smartphone called Pixel Fold.