Currently, Google pays Firefox’s bill by having them set their default search engine to Google.

This will no longer be when Chrome is in the hands of another party. DOJ is currently advocating for this forced sellout.

So will Firefox be no more after that?

  • Godort@lemm.ee
    5·
    4 days ago

    Google search is not the same thing as google Chrome. Search still sees a benefit in paying to be the default search provider in Firefox.

    • mkwt@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 days ago

      Part of the DOJ ask is that the Google search business should be enjoined from paying for preferential default status on other platforms.

      They want to prohibit the Firefox arrangement as part of the anti trust matter.

      • Squizzy@lemmy.world
        1·
        3 days ago

        Which is justified in all fairness, firefox is too dependent on monopoly for support to be competitive going forward

    • dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
      2·
      4 days ago

      The main reason of Google’s financing is probably because they don’t want to be accused of a browser monopoly. So this will stop, leaving Firefox with very little income.

      I’m not sure if the reason you said is enough for them to keep paying.

      Google search is not the same thing as google Chrome

      I never said that

      • ElPussyKangaroo@lemmy.world
        1·
        4 days ago

        Google pays Firefox to have Google Search as the default search engine. Chrome is not the major money maker. It doesn’t even earn any money.

        • halcyoncmdr@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          4 days ago

          It doesn’t even earn any money.

          Neither do the rotisserie chickens at the store. Or Costco’s $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.

          Chrome isn’t intended to make money, it’s a loss leader.

  • OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.ml
    3·
    4 days ago

    It probably won’t die in the next decade…

    But also Internet standards are only getting more complicated… Eventually there will be no browsers left, and we’ll have shifted to an app-only paradigm. Isn’t that exciting.

  • jaycifer@lemmy.world
    2·
    3 days ago

    Even if Google stopped paying Mozilla, the organization has enough in savings to operate for several years. That’s plenty of time to cut back on spending and find other revenue sources. My only concern would be that they cut back on Firefox development rather than what I would consider a side project.

    • douglasg14b@lemmy.world
      1·
      3 days ago

      The majority cost of Firefox is engineering.

      Any cutbacks will negatively affect the ability for Firefox to keep up and will probably start a slow decline towards collapse and irrelevance.

  • JackbyDev@programming.devEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    Currently, Google pays Firefox’s bill by having them set their default search engine to Google.

    This will no longer be when Chrome is in the hands of another party. DOJ is currently advocating for this forced sellout.

    Why does Alphabet not controlling Chrome mean Alphabet would suddenly stop paying Mozilla to make Google Search the default search in Firefox? That’s totally unrelated.

    (Saying Alphabet instead of Google to help differentiate between Google and its products.)