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Google Antitrust Judge Told Android Contracts Blocked Startup Search App - Bloomberg (www.bloomberg.com)

submitted 1 year ago by ijeff@lemdro.id to c/technology@lemmy.ml

1 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from !google@lemdro.id

Tech startup, Branch Metrics, claims Google hindered its search app development through exclusive revenue-sharing agreements with Samsung, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

The US government accuses Google of illegally maintaining its online search monopoly by having its search engine as the default on PCs and mobile phones, which Google denies.

Branch Metrics aimed to create a search engine for mobile apps, with significant funding raised and intended integration in Samsung devices starting 2019.

Due to Google's contract, Samsung limited the functionality of Branch's product, restricting it to search only 25 apps and conceal results from apps not installed on the device.

Google's revenue-share agreements initially required it to be the sole "web search engine" on devices, later extending to "only connected search and internet search" on devices in 2020.

AT&T and a Google executive raised concerns about the Branch product violating revenue-share agreements, impacting potential partnerships and Branch's product functionality.

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[–] chris@lemm.ee 8 points 1 year ago

Quite frankly, fuck Branch. I use the DDG app on my phone to block app tracking, and Branch is regularly at the top of the list. If they made a search engine it would likely be tracking as much or more than Google is.