US DOJ Move to Curb Google's Funding Could Jeopardize Development of Major Web Browsers

All four major web browsers—Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple’s Safari—are set to lose a significant portion of their funding, raising concerns about the future of internet accessibility and browser innovation. This shift is due to a legal challenge by the US Department of Justice, which aims to force Google to sever its financial ties with its competitors and divest from Chrome. Google currently provides over 80% of the development budget for these major browsers. The company pays Apple approximately $18 billion annually and Mozilla around $450 million a year to ensure that Google Search remains the default search engine on Safari and Firefox, respectively. In 2021, these payments accounted for 83% of Mozilla’s revenue. While Apple does not disclose specific figures for Safari's development budget, the $18 billion from Google represents about 60% of Apple's total R&D expenditure, which was nearly $30 billion in 2023. Given this, it is reasonable to infer that a large share of Safari’s development costs is indirectly covered by Google’s substantial payment. Microsoft’s entry into the browser market, with Edge, is also heavily influenced by Google. Edge is essentially a rebranded version of Google Chrome, using the open-source Chromium engine maintained by Google. Microsoft does contribute code to Chromium, but its contributions are far less significant compared to Google’s. In 2024, Google made over 100,000 commits to Chromium, accounting for roughly 94% of all contributions. The US Department of Justice argues that Google should be prohibited from entering into search-engine deals with Mozilla and Apple, and that it should be compelled to sell off Chrome, thus preventing Google from funding both Chrome and Chromium. If this ruling comes to pass, Mozilla and Apple will face severe cuts in their development budgets, and Microsoft Edge will lose 94% of its technological backbone. This legal action is rooted in the Sherman Antitrust Act, which was enacted to prevent monopolies and ensure fair competition. The DoJ contends that Google’s practice of financially supporting other browsers to maintain its dominance is anticompetitive. However, the consequences of this ruling extend beyond penalizing Google. It will inadvertently cripple the development of all major browsers, including those that are considered alternatives to Chrome. The potential loss of funding is alarming because it affects the very core of internet infrastructure. Browsers are essential tools for accessing the web, and any destabilization could undermine user experience and innovation. While the goal of antitrust actions is noble—fostering competition and protecting consumers—the unintended consequences in this case may harm the very ecosystem they aim to protect. Moreover, the web community relies on the collaborative nature of open-source projects like Chromium. Without Google’s significant contributions, the development of Chromium will slow down, and this will affect not only Edge but also other browsers that depend on this engine. This scenario could lead to stagnation in browser technology, which could stifle advancements and reduce the overall quality of internet experiences. As the legal proceedings continue, the tech industry watches closely, aware of the profound implications of the DoJ’s demands. If Google is required to divest from Chrome and cease support for its competitors, the web could face a period of turmoil and decline. The enforcement of antitrust laws may achieve its goal of breaking Google’s perceived monopoly, but it risks leaving a void in browser development that could be difficult to fill. In summary, while the US Department of Justice’s antitrust efforts seek to promote fairness and competition, the impending ruling could have far-reaching and unintended negative impacts on the web. The future of internet accessibility and browser innovation hangs in the balance, and stakeholders across the tech community are bracing for the consequences of this significant change.