Google wanted to block new AI features in Safari; understand

Google is considering blocking iPhone users from using artificial intelligence tools in Safari, a document published in a US investigation has revealed. Considering restricting AI features to boost Chrome adoption on iOS. Information taken from the site Information.

The document shows that Google hired Robby Stein, a former Instagram and Yahoo employee, to oversee Chrome’s popularization strategies on iOS in 2024. One of the ideas proposed by Gigante das Buscas executives was to remove AI Overview, an artificial intelligence tool that recommends putting white glue on pizzas, from Safari, preventing browser users from taking advantage of the new feature.

In this way, the company will take advantage of the browser’s lack of self-promotion, thus strengthening Chrome’s presence in the Apple ecosystem. According to Google, Convincing iPhone owners to use any browser other than Safari is a major challengeinstalled locally on the mobile phone.

According to the document, The idea of ​​restricting access to AI Overview was rejected By order of the company. That’s why AI Overview is currently accessible from Safari (in regions where the function is available).

Strained relationship

Google and Apple have a delicate relationship in the browser market, with Google renewing a multi-billion dollar deal every year to keep its own search engine as the default alternative to Safari.

However, this partnership is quite old. Google has been the default search engine on Apple devices since 2002.

But Google wants searches to be done in its own apps, either the Google app or Chrome. To achieve this, the company has been working to attract more users for years.

Google has managed to increase the number of searches in its own apps from 25% to 30% in the last five years. Employees involved in the initiative said the company hopes to increase that number by 50% by 2030.

However, this collaboration between the giants caught the attention of authorities in the United States: The country’s Justice Ministry is considering whether Google’s payment undermines competitionPreventing competitors from growing.

The verdict from the investigations has not yet been published but is expected to be announced in the coming months.