this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2023
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Privacy
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Mozilla Foundation is kept alive with Google money, for the express purpose of being able to show there's an alternative and that Chrome is not technically a monopoly. But Firefox will never challenge Chrome on anything that truly matters.
It's not just for that. They do make money out of being the default search engine. Safari exists, Google doesn't need Mozilla to avoid anti-trust lawsuits.
Circa 1997: Apple, Inc is kept alive with Microsoft money ($150 million), for the express purpose of being able to show there's an alternative and that Windows is not technically a monopoly.
This a conspiracy, or validated claim? Either way, I believe it.
You have https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-05-05/why-google-keeps-paying-mozilla-s-firefox-even-as-chrome-dominates (I haven't read that article because I didn't allow javascript there or something), and https://www.wired.com/2011/12/why-google-continues-to-fund-firefox/
Not necessarily explicitly supporting the claim made above, but the information is interesting.
Thanks. Can't say I'm surprised..
Seems a necessary arrangement to keep Mozilla alive and Google on the throne. After reading that, I doubt it's possible for Firefox to ever get out from under Google's wing, but I can see Google eventually tossing Firefox from the nest. I guess that's how business works...