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
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    20 hours 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
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      12 hours 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
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        15 hours ago

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

        • A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world
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          6 hours ago

          Google literally only pays firefox so it can point at firefox and go “Look, see, not anti-competitive/monopoly!”

    • dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
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      20 hours 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
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        20 hours 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.world
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          20 hours 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.

          • Warl0k3@lemmy.world
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            19 hours ago

            It’s a side point, but the costco hotdogs do absolutely turn a profit. $1.50 seems unreasonably low because of how much we’re used to paying for food these days, but its hotdogs and a fountain drink, the cost of ingredients is next to nothing.

              • Warl0k3@lemmy.world
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                12 hours ago

                Sorry, you’re correct - I should have said they do not make a loss on the sales (turn a profit is obviously a bit of a stretch) since they use their existing infrastructure to offset the operational expenses, and the actual ingredient cost is literally pennies per unit.

                • Yeah, and that’s exactly what a “loss leader” is defined by. They make no profit off the hotdog combo itself but the hotdog combo may be enough of an incentive for someone to come to Coscto in the first place and end up buying more shit that does make a profit.

        • atro_city@fedia.io
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          17 hours ago

          You’re missing the point as to why Google is paying Firefox and @dysprosium said it

          The main reason of Google’s financing is probably because they don’t want to be accused of a browser monopoly

          Chrome is there to collect data in order to target adds, sell them, and show them. It’s a vehicle.