The Linux Foundation has announced the creation of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, a new group dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration within the Chromium ecosystem. This initiative provides a neutral platform where industry leaders, developers, academics, and the broader open-source community can work together to support and grow Chromium-based projects.
Purpose and Goals of the Group
The Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers group aims to:
- Remove Barriers to Innovation: Facilitate collaboration to advance projects in the Chromium ecosystem.
- Expand Adoption: Promote the use of Chromium-based tools and technologies across industries and platforms.
- Provide Resources: Ensure that essential projects within the Chromium ecosystem receive adequate funding, expertise, and support.
In line with these goals, the group will operate within the Linux Foundation under an open governance model, guided by a technical advisory committee to align development priorities with the community’s needs.
Key Backers of the Initiative
The initiative has received endorsements from major tech companies, including:
- Meta
- Microsoft
- Opera
These companies have expressed their commitment to the group’s mission of ensuring the sustainability and growth of Chromium-based technologies.
Meghan Perez, Vice President of Microsoft Edge, stated:
“This initiative aligns with our commitment to the web platform through meaningful and positive contributions, collaborative engineering, and partnerships to achieve the best outcome for everyone using the web.”
Parisa Tabriz, Vice President of Chrome, echoed similar sentiments:
“With the incredible support of the Linux Foundation, we believe this initiative is a critical opportunity to create a sustainable platform that benefits the entire Chromium ecosystem.”
What Changes?
According to the Linux Foundation, existing Chromium products will remain unaffected by this announcement. Instead, this new group aims to complement existing efforts by creating a neutral collaborative space that benefits the entire ecosystem.
Google’s Role and Contributions
Since Chromium’s release in 2008, Google has been its largest contributor, accounting for approximately 94% of contributions. The company has stated that while it has no plans to reduce its investment, it welcomes increased participation from others in the open-source community. Contributions include maintaining thousands of servers and addressing hundreds of bugs daily.
Industry Context
The creation of this group follows recent scrutiny by U.S. regulators, including an order for Google to divest from Chrome to address potential antitrust concerns. While the Supporters initiative is not directly tied to the divestiture, it provides a structured pathway for Chromium’s development and governance.
Looking Ahead
With the backing of tech giants and the Linux Foundation, the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers group is poised to advance innovation in the Chromium ecosystem. By uniting industry leaders, developers, and academia under a shared vision, the initiative ensures that Chromium remains a robust and open platform for the future of web browsing.
