In a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department against Google seeking the sale of its Chrome browser, Parisa Tabriz, Chrome’s general manager, testified on Friday that only Google can maintain the browser’s current level of functionality due to its “interdependencies” with other Alphabet units.
“Chrome today is the result of 17 years of collaboration between the Chrome team and the rest of Google,” Tabriz explained. She highlighted that several of the browser’s key features, like Safe Browsing mode and the password compromise notification system, are deeply tied to Google’s broader infrastructure rather than being standalone Chrome components. “I don’t think that could be recreated,” Tabriz said. She spent several hours giving testimony in court, stressing the scale and complexity behind Chrome’s development.
Open-Source Foundations and Expert Testimony
Although Chrome is based on the open-source Chromium project, which was started by Google and is supported by companies like Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and the Linux Foundation, the ownership debate remains heated. Earlier on Friday, James Mickens, a Harvard computer science professor and expert for the U.S. Department of Justice, stated that transferring Chrome’s ownership would be technically possible without severely harming its functionality, notes NIX Solutions.
“It’s technically feasible to divest Chrome,” Mickens said. “It would be feasible to transfer ownership and not break too much.” Mickens has prior experience as an expert witness in Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit against Google involving the Android ecosystem. He also noted that even without direct ownership of Chrome, Google would likely continue supporting the Chromium open-source project, which is the foundation of many browsers, including those developed by competitors. We’ll keep you updated as more developments emerge.
Investment in Chromium and Google’s Contribution
Responding to these claims, Tabriz pointed out that Google has contributed more than 90 percent of the Chromium code since 2015. She emphasized the heavy investment Google has made, stating, “Google is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Chromium.” According to her, approximately 1,000 people in her division are working on Chromium. She also remarked that other companies currently “are not making any significant contributions.”
Tabriz’s testimony reflects Google’s broader argument that Chrome’s success and security depend heavily on its integration with Google’s systems and resources, a reality that may complicate any potential divestiture.