Don’t they buy the search bar to have another competitor and not get forced to give away chrome for antitrust reasons? I don’t think they care about the search bar THAT much, it’s basically a donation right?

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chii 3 hours ago | parent [-]

> for antitrust reasons?

well, a benefit is a benefit. It doesn't really matter how it manifests does it? It's not a donation, as it is not altruistic.

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echoangle 3 hours ago | parent [-]

But then I’m not the product? The government is basically forcing google to pay my browser developer, how does that make me the product it is bad for me?

	▲	chii 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		You are still "the product" even if google derives secondary benefits - because you are using firefox. Google doesn't pay the other forks of firefox money (at least, as far as i know). It's because you aren't using those browsers (you as in the royal you). I didn't say you being a product is bad - but it does not align customer with software company. You may be OK with being sold as a product to google, as this relationship currently isn't damaging. But what if a future offer which would damage you is taken by mozilla because it's profitable?