Mozilla CEO is critical of Microsoft’s switch to Chromium

Mozilla CEO Chris Beard has criticized Microsoft’s move to Chromium for its Edge browser. According to the foreman, it is important that competition for the benefit of consumers remains in the world of browsers and online infrastructure.

“If a single product like Chromium gains enough market share, it will be easier for web developers and businesses to focus solely on Chromium compatibility,” Beard wrote in a blog post last Thursday, the same day the news itself came out. The man states that this was also the case with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer at the beginning of the millennium, “before Firefox came out”.

Beyond the issue of compatibility, Google would gain a lot of power if it made the foundation for all browsers. “Chromium developers determine the core capabilities of a browser. What we can see on the web, how secure we are, and how much control we have over what websites and services can do to us.”

Beard acknowledges that from a business perspective, the switch might be a good idea. “Google’s dominant position in search, advertising, smartphones and data capture puts the playing field at a disadvantage.” Still, he doesn’t think that’s good enough. “We don’t compete with Google because it’s a good business opportunity, but because the health of the Internet and online life depends on competition and choice. Consumers should be able to act when they feel something needs to be improved.”

Google itself says to VentureBeat that it is looking forward to collaborating with Microsoft. “We’re excited to work with Microsoft and the web standards community to improve the open web, provide choices to users, and deliver great browsing experiences.”