Firefox faces existential threat amid US antitrust case against Google

(Web Desk): The future of the popular browser Firefox is under serious threat worldwide, including in the United States, following developments in a landmark antitrust case against Google.

According to international media reports, concerns are growing over proposed measures aimed at reducing Google’s dominance in the search engine market, as the US Department of Justice (DoJ) pushes for tough actions — one of which could include the forced sale of Chrome, Google's web browser.

In response, Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned that if Chrome is separated from the company, it could lead to the downfall of Google Search in its current form.

In this context, Mozilla, the organization behind Firefox, has also raised deep concerns. Mozilla’s Chief Financial Officer, Eric Muhlheim, testified in court on Friday, stating that if all of the Justice Department's proposed measures are implemented, Mozilla could be forced to shut down its operations entirely.

According to reports, Muhlheim told the court that a significant portion of Firefox’s revenue depends on its agreement with Google, which makes Google the default search engine on Firefox. This partnership contributes around 85% of Mozilla’s total revenue and 90% of the income for its for-profit subsidiary, which supports the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation.

He cautioned that the loss of this financial support would result in “significant cuts” within the company, including a reduction in product engineering activities for Firefox.

Muhlheim warned that such cuts could trigger a “downward spiral” that would reduce Firefox’s popularity and potentially lead to its complete disappearance. This scenario would also impact Mozilla’s broader goals, including the development of open-source tools and initiatives using AI to tackle climate change.