Google has filed an appeal against a 2024 antitrust ruling that found it violated competition laws by paying to be the default search engine on iPhones. In its appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Google claims Apple chose its search engine "fair and square" based on merit, not through anti-competitive practices. The tech giant argues it succeeded through innovation and better service.

Google maintains it did nothing to harm the competitive process, noting Apple was free to distribute rival search engines. The company is seeking to overturn remedies that would force it to share search data, offer user interaction information, and syndicate results to competitors. Google also wants to exclude AI companies like OpenAI from receiving search data.

The case stems from the billions Google pays Apple annually to remain Safari's default search engine. While implementation of the remedies began February 3, Google hasn't been required to provide data as the Technical Committee has yet to establish license terms, privacy safeguards, or competitor qualifications. Arguments are unlikely before late 2026.