Mozilla has warned that it may be forced to exit the browser market if it is no longer allowed to receive payments from Google for offering its search engine. According to Mozilla, a ban on these payments could lead the company and other independent browser developers to withdraw from the market. Users would thereby lose a browser that pays great attention to privacy and security, while large technology companies would gain more power over the Internet.

The case dates back to 2020 when the US Department of Justice and states accused Google of violating competition law by making Google the default search engine in Apple’s Safari, Firefox and Android. In 2024, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google unlawfully maintained its monopoly. In September 2025, Mehta imposed measures prohibiting Google from entering into exclusive distribution agreements for six years, but allowed payments to Apple, Mozilla and others.

Federal authorities asked the court of appeals to overturn that part. Mozilla counters that Mehta’s decision is supported by evidence, citing research that its revenues would fall sharply if it had to replace Google with Bing. Mozilla stresses it is not supporting either party. Google is expected to submit new arguments next month.