• @[email protected]
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    510 months ago

    Google paying Firefox explicitly to make Google the default search engine. That doesn’t mean they own Firefox in any way shape or form. Firefox routinely makes anti Google decisions, and acts against googles interest. It’s pretty clear they aren’t googles bitch.

    • @Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In
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      110 months ago

      Most of the revenue of Mozilla Corporation comes from Google (81% in 2022). They have influence.

      The excuse of search engine funding is a fig leaf for the US and monopoly laws.

      • @[email protected]
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        110 months ago

        Google pays every browser they can to make Google the default search engine. Including direct competitors, and companies that have a direct interest in going against Google. Companies like Apple, who butt heads with Google regularly.

        That doesn’t mean they have influence.

        • ElectricMachman
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          110 months ago

          However, if Google decided one day to yank 80% of Mozilla’s income…

          • @[email protected]
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            110 months ago

            Yeah that would be problematic to an extent. But I doubt that’ll happen, and if it did I’m sure it would continue just in a slower/reduced capacity.

        • @Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In
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          110 months ago

          Agreed. Those other companies don’t rely on Google for 80% of their income. That’s where the influence occurs.

          • @[email protected]
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            110 months ago

            Can you point to an example of Mozilla bending the knee, in the slightest, on a subject Google would want them to have a different opinion than normal on?

              • @[email protected]
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                110 months ago

                The first explicitly states its conjecture. In reality, it’s much more likely in my mind that Mozilla is not well suited to fast paced changes like the recent YouTube cat and mouse Adblock saga. Imagine if you were waiting not for an extension update, but a browser update.

                The second isn’t even about Mozilla. They rely on Google for the anti phishing list. Is there a free and open alternative? I legitimately can’t find one. I can find paid alternatives, but I doubt users would be willing to pay.

                • @Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In
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                  110 months ago

                  I believe these are reasonable examples of slightly bending of Mozillas knee to Google, as requested.