Google planned to transition iPhone users to set Chrome as the default internet browser on their devices, as the company attempts to expand its influence.
Users who installed Chrome on their iPhones will receive a notification asking them to set the browser as the default app.
Google Needs 300 Million iPhone Users to Transition to Chrome
According to the report, Google is targeting to extend its reach on Apple users from the current 30% to 50%. This means that the company needs to convince roughly 700 million iPhone users to use Chrome.
The tech giant is seeking the participation of almost 300 million iPhone users to choose Chrome over Safari to see the plan as feasible. Both Apple and Google have had a tough relationship over the years.
Previously, Google was under antitrust scrutiny for paying billions of dollars to Apple to set Google as the default search engine in the Safari browser. The Department of Justice claimed that Google has established an illegal monopoly for online search and digital advertising.
Google Seeks More Users to Track for Data Machine Learning
It is no secret that tech giants collect data from their users to serve targeted ads over their internet experience. Google is reportedly planning to use the defaulting of Chrome to track its users.
According to Forbes, Safari in general would give better protection to its users than Chrome. This includes the collection of sensitive data like fingerprints and third-party tracking.
Moreover, if iPhone users opt to use Safari as their default browser but still use Google Search's service, the users are subjected to Google's machine processing. However, the users will be protected from cross-site tracking.
Apple users are now faced with the decision to choose wisely between the services that they use. Regardless, Apple could still benefit from either of the arrangements due to its ties with Google Search.
