Linux Foundation Joins Forces with Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera to Form a Chromium Browser Supporters Alliance

Recently, the well-known industry organization, the Linux Foundation, has teamed up with Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera to establish the Chromium Browser Supporters Alliance. The main goal of this alliance is to support the open-source Chromium browser, ensuring it continues to receive the necessary resources, whether in the form of financial support or other types of resource backing.

This news might cause some unease for the Mozilla Foundation and users of the Firefox browser, leading them to wonder why the Linux Foundation has decided to support the formation of this alliance.

To understand this move, one must consider the background of the Chromium browser, which is currently under Google's control. Firstly, it's common knowledge that Chromium serves as the foundation for numerous browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave. Secondly, the US Department of Justice is currently seeking to force the divestiture of the Chrome browser from Google.

If the US Department of Justice successfully forces Google to divest Chrome, the Chromium project might also have to be transferred to a new organization or, even if it remains under Google's control, Chromium would lose the financial support provided by Chrome.

Thus, the purpose of forming this alliance is to ensure that, even in the face of unforeseen circumstances, the Chromium project can continue to receive ample industrial and financial support, at the very least to ensure that Chromium does not perish due to antitrust issues.

The Linux Foundation stated in a press release:

The Chromium Browser Supporters will provide a neutral space for industry leaders, academia, developers, and the broader open-source community to collaborate in supporting the projects within the Chromium ecosystem. By promoting cooperation to remove barriers to innovation and expand adoption, we ensure that projects within the Chromium ecosystem have the resources they need to thrive.

Google explained in a blog post why the Linux Foundation was chosen to manage this alliance:

In 2024 alone, Google contributed over 100,000 lines of code to Chromium, accounting for 94% of the total project contributions. While Google has no intention of reducing its investment in the project, it welcomes others to invest as well. The new Chromium Supporters Alliance Fund will be managed by the Linux Foundation, which will adhere to long-established open governance practices, prioritizing transparency, inclusivity, and community development.

Finally, it's important to note that, at least at the time of this article's publication, the Chromium project remains firmly in Google's hands. The project will continue to follow its existing governance structure, allowing contributions from anyone, regardless of their membership in the alliance.