During the US antitrust case against Google, more clarity became clear about Apple’s plan to replace Google as the default search engine. For example, details have emerged about conversations with DuckDuckGo and Microsoft.

Apple has reportedly held extensive discussions with DuckDuckGo, among others. Which Bloomberg writes Based on testimony from DuckDuckGo CEO. The CEO did this during the US Department of Justice’s antitrust case against Google Search. It was said that about twenty conversations took place between DuckDuckGo and Apple, and the idea was to use this search engine as an alternative to Google in the private mode of the Safari browser.

According to DuckDuckGo’s CEO, Apple was close to using the search engine, but ultimately decided against it. However, Apple CEO John Giannandrea claims in his testimony that he knew nothing about the potential switch to DuckDuckGo. It also questions the privacy-friendly suitability of the search engine.

Apple is also said to have spoken with Microsoft about the possibility of acquiring Bing. Bloomberg previously wrote, based on anonymous sources, that Apple wants to buy Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Gianandrea now confirms this in his testimony and in the documents that have been disclosed, Writes the Washington Post. It is noteworthy that Apple held discussions with Microsoft in 2018 and 2020 about a possible joint project between the two companies or Apple’s acquisition of Bing.

According to Giannandrea, the acquisition was eventually abandoned because tests showed that Google provided better search results than Bing in almost all languages. Bing scores as well as Google in English only. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed the talks and said Microsoft was willing to spend “billions” to make Bing the default search engine on Apple devices.

An internal email shows that Apple’s potential purchase of Bing was at least partly aimed at getting a better search deal from Google. However, the email indicates that the company will also expand its capabilities through acquisition to effectively replace Google in the future.