Ecosia, the Berlin-based nonprofit search engine, recently submitted a proposal to Google and U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta suggesting a 10-year stewardship of the Chrome browser. This initiative is the result of years of discussions surrounding Google’s control of Chrome. On this scale, the Department of Justice has previously argued that the tech giant should divest its stake in this particular browser.
Ecosia has been around since 2009. It funds its search engine with Google services and teams up with the tech giant to share revenue back. The organization has positioned itself as a major player in environmental philanthropy, donating millions monthly to support local communities and NGOs across over 35 countries.
Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, said they were optimistic their stewardship proposal would have a significant effect. He pointed out that Chrome is set to bring in an expected $1 trillion in new revenue over the next 10 years. Ecosia argues that, if given full control, it would be better able to manage the bulk of that revenue — about 60% of it. That’s about $600 billion specifically allocated to climate-related projects!
Ecosia wants to give Google $0.40 on every dollar produced from Chrome. It is likely that this deal will grow to roughly $400 billion in the next 10 years. Kroll underscored the nonprofit’s hub focus on building an environmentally sustainable future and their idea to do big things was realistic but ambitious.
“We hold a track record of making impossible things possible,” – Christian Kroll
By seizing control of Chrome from its now-parent company Alphabet, Ecosia’s stewardship plan promises to protect the jobs of current Chrome employees. This provides predictability and certainty for the worker. This part of the proposal would help address fears about job security if Google ever chose to walk away from Chrome.
Google’s continued control over Chrome makes this bold proposal hard to picture Google actually letting it go. After losing the original ruling from the Department of Justice in 2022, the company intends to appeal that ruling in 2024. Brad Erickson of Pacific Crest Securities noted that companies like OpenAI would potentially be keen to scoop up Chrome.
“We’d think OpenAI potentially would be prepared to pay significantly more for it,” – Brad Erickson
Ecosia’s private stewardship proposal represents an abrupt change of course for the company. In doing so, it arguably opened Pandora’s Box, ensuring the chaotic future of internet browsers. By focusing on climate initiatives and community support, Ecosia aims to set a precedent for how digital platforms can contribute positively to society.
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