All it takes is an email between Apple and Google saying they want to keep prices high for conspiracy. Isn't above them, either. Certainly inline with past of apple. Seems more a complaint against them, I grant.

The discovery is what could kill Google, here. They will argue customers could switch, but any negotiations with apple to stay default are discoverable. If any of them note they fear losing share, that is pretty damning.

Note I fully agree with you on difficulty of position. But you don't pay billions for status that you think you earn on your merits.

Especially if you then charge other players to be top search spot for their own name.