Google Judge Told Android Contracts Blocked Upstart Search App
www.bloomberg.com
Alphabet Inc.’s Google stymied the development of an upstart search app by invoking its exclusive revenue-sharing deals with Samsung Electronics Co., Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile Inc., the founder of a tech startup told a judge.
  • 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.