During a recent session in Washington federal court, the head of Google’s Chrome browser highlighted the unique capabilities and extensive features that arise from the deep integration of Chrome with other parts of Alphabet Inc. According to Parisa Tabriz, the browser’s general manager, this interdependencies makes it virtually impossible to replicate Chrome’s success independently.
“Chrome represents 17 years of collaboration with various teams at Google,” Tabriz testified, explaining the unprecedented challenges of disentangling such connections. Some core functionalities, such as the safe browsing mode and password breach notifications, depend on shared infrastructure that extends beyond Chrome, she pointed out.
Search Market
Tabriz provided her testimony before Judge Amit Mehta, who is presiding over a three-week hearing assessing potential adjustments to Google’s business practices following a ruling last year that found the tech giant had unlawfully monopolized the search market. The U.S. Justice Department is advocating for significant changes, including the divestiture of Chrome and the sharing of certain user data that contributes to search result generation. A proposed ban on Google’s payments for search engine defaults, which would also encompass AI tools like Gemini, has also been requested.
As of March, Google Chrome holds the title of the most widely used browser globally, commanding approximately 66 percent of the market, according to Statcounter. Its foundation lies in the open-source Chromium Project, which was initiated by Google but also receives contributions from various organizations, including Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and the Linux Foundation.
In contrast to Tabriz’s perspective, James Mickens, a computer science expert testifying for the Justice Department, stated that Chrome’s ownership could be transferred to another entity without compromising its functionality.
Divestiture ‘Feasible’
“From a technical standpoint, the divestiture of Chrome is feasible,” Mickens, a Harvard University professor, asserted. He noted that even if Google lost ownership, it would still have the incentive to support the Chromium project that underlies Chrome and its competitors. Google’s Android operating system also relies on elements of Chromium for optimal performance on mobile devices.
Mickens remarked, “Google has a motivation to ensure the source code remains well-maintained.” However, Tabriz challenged this argument, explaining that Google has contributed more than 90 percent of Chromium’s code since 2015.
“We invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Chromium,” she stated, adding that around 1,000 engineers from her division have been involved in the project, while contributions from other companies remain minimal.
AI Integrations
Tabriz also mentioned Google’s ongoing efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence into Chrome. Users currently have the option to integrate extensions such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Perplexity AI or adjust browser settings for enhanced AI model searches. She confirmed that Gemini is designated as the default AI assistant for Chrome.
“Many browsers are exploring AI and launching new features,” she noted, highlighting Microsoft’s integration of its AI Copilot into Bing and the Edge browser. Google’s internal documents indicate plans to evolve Chrome into an “agentic browser,” one that employs AI to automate various tasks such as online shopping, research, and form-filling.
In a 2024 email, Tabriz outlined a vision for Chrome to serve as an interactive platform that seamlessly incorporates Gemini as a primary AI assistant while allowing users to engage with multiple third-party agents in diverse consumer and business applications.
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