Linux Foundation launches initiative to support Chromium browsers

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The Linux Foundation has announced the launch of a new initiative named ‘Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers’. The programme aims to secure sustainable funding and enhance collaborative development for projects within the Chromium ecosystem.

Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, commented: “With the launch of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, we are taking another step forward in empowering the open source community.

“This project will provide much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects within the Chromium ecosystem.”

The initiative will act as a neutral platform for collective efforts by industry leaders, academic institutions, developers, and the broader open-source community. The overarching goal is to break down barriers to innovation, encourage widespread adoption, and guarantee that projects within the Chromium ecosystem receive the resources required to thrive.

However, it’s vital to note that governance of the Chromium projects will remain with their existing management.

Supporters of ‘Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers’

The endeavour has already garnered strong support from some of the tech industry’s biggest players. Companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Opera have pledged their commitment to advancing the Chromium ecosystem through this initiative.

Google, the primary developer behind Chromium, sees this as a crucial milestone.

Parisa Tabriz, VP of Chrome, said: “With the incredible support of the Linux Foundation, we believe the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers is an important opportunity to create a sustainable platform to support industry leaders, academia, developers, and the broader open source community in the continued development and innovation of the Chromium ecosystem.”

Microsoft, which transitioned its Edge browser to Chromium in 2020, has also voiced its enthusiasm.

Meghan Perez, VP of Microsoft Edge, commented: “Microsoft is pleased to join this initiative which will help drive collaboration within the Chromium ecosystem.

“This initiative aligns with our commitment to the web platform through meaningful and positive contributions, engagement in collaborative engineering, and partnerships with the community to achieve the best outcome for everyone using the web.”

Opera has long been at the forefront of Chromium-based browser development, and says its teams are eager to contribute to the success of the initiative.

Krystian Kolondra, Executive VP of Browsers at Opera, said: “As one of the major browsers contributing to the Chromium project, Opera is pleased to join the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers and to lend our efforts towards the development of the open-source ecosystem.

“We look forward to collaborating with members of the project to foster this growth and to keep building innovative and compelling products for all users.”

Open governance approach

The Linux Foundation will operate the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers initiative using an open governance approach, drawing inspiration from its own successful open-source programmes. Core principles include transparency, inclusivity, and prioritisation of community-driven development efforts.

As part of this governance model, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be established. The committee will provide guidance and oversight for development, ensuring that the programme’s objectives reflect the needs of the broader Chromium community.

The initiative will also serve as a space to foster innovation through collaboration between diverse stakeholders, ensuring a unified focus on improving the Chromium ecosystem while maintaining existing workflows and governance structures.

Chromium is the backbone of most of the world’s leading browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and others. These browsers collectively represent over 70 percent of today’s web traffic, meaning innovations within this ecosystem have a far-reaching impact on the global internet.

The lack of diversity in the browser landscape isn’t welcomed by everyone. After Microsoft ditched EdgeHTML in favour of Chromium, the open internet advocates at Mozilla shared their concerns that too much power is being handed to Google.

“We compete with Google not because it’s a good business opportunity,” wrote Chris Beard, then-CEO of Mozilla. “We compete with Google because the health of the internet and online life depend on competition and choice.”

By pooling resources into the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers initiative, stakeholders aim to address challenges like developer funding, community coordination, and feature development in a way that benefits everyone involved.

The Linux Foundation has a record of success in leading open-source initiatives that have transformed industries. The Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers aims to channel this expertise into safeguarding the future of web browsing on Chromium-based platforms.

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Tags: browsers, chromium, coding, development, linux foundation, open source, open-source, programming, web