Firefox could be doomed without Google search deal, says executive
- On May 2, 2025, Mozilla's Chief Financial Officer provided testimony during the U.S. V. Google trial, warning that Firefox’s continued operation could be endangered if Google’s default search engine agreement with Mozilla is terminated.
- The testimony followed a 2024 court ruling that Google illegally monopolized search, with DOJ proposals to bar paid default search agreements that risk Firefox's main revenue source.
- Muhlheim explained that approximately 85% of Mozilla's revenue, largely from Google search payments, is crucial for funding Firefox and its Gecko browser engine, which competes with Chromium and WebKit.
- He warned, "It's very frightening," noting that losing Google's payments could force Mozilla to make significant cuts, risking a downward spiral that might put Firefox out of business.
- The testimony suggests that remedies weakening Google’s partnerships could unintentionally harm independent browsers, reducing competition and innovation in web technology.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Will the Google Antitrust Case Be the End of Firefox?
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ)’s push to break up Google’s search dominance might seem like a win for internet competition, but not everyone sees it that way. Mozilla, the nonprofit behind Firefox, warns it could be one of the biggest casualties if Google is banned from paying to be the default search engine in third-party browsers.In a recent court hearing, Mozilla CFO Eric Muhlheim called the proposal “very frightening,” noting that 85% of …
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