Defaulting the search to Google in Safari in no way impairs the users ability to choose an alternative search engine. Apple have always left the search setting

Defaulting the search to Google in Safari in no way impairs the users ability to choose an alternative search engine. Apple have always left the search setting changeable, for a long time have allowed 3rd party browsers and have allowed other browsers to be the default system browser. This is hardly a monopoly and it’s no secret that Google is paying them gobs of money to be the default. It’s a separate issue from their appstore business entirely where security and privacy are legitimate arguments for the control they exert on that business.