The Linux Foundation has announced the launch of the “Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers” initiative, aimed at advancing open-source development within the Chromium ecosystem.
By providing a neutral space for developers, industry leaders, and the open-source community, the initiative aims to foster collaboration and drive innovation in Chromium-related projects.
Goals of the Initiative
The Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers initiative is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Chromium ecosystem.
By encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders, it seeks to remove obstacles to innovation and broaden the adoption of Chromium-based technologies. Although the initiative will be housed under the Linux Foundation, the existing governance structures of Chromium projects will remain intact.
Industry Support and Participation
Leading organizations have already pledged their support for this initiative, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Opera. These companies are committed to contributing to the continued innovation and growth of the Chromium ecosystem.
Parisa Tabriz, VP of Chrome at Google, stated:
With the support of the Linux Foundation, we believe this initiative will establish a sustainable platform for collaboration between developers, academia, and the open-source community, advancing the development of Chromium.
Meghan Perez, VP of Microsoft Edge, shared similar enthusiasm:
This initiative aligns with our commitment to the web platform and will enhance collaboration within the Chromium ecosystem. We look forward to working with other organizations to achieve optimal outcomes for web users.
Krystian Kolondra, EVP of Browsers at Opera, also expressed excitement:
We are eager to contribute to the open-source ecosystem through this initiative. Our involvement will support the continued growth of innovative products for users globally.
Google’s Ongoing Commitment to Chromium
Google, a major contributor to the Chromium ecosystem, revealed that Chromium is currently used by hundreds of projects worldwide, ranging from browsers like Chrome to applications in home electronics, application frameworks, and even custom software, such as Bloomberg terminals and SpaceX capsule control systems.
In 2024, Google made over 100,000 commits to Chromium, accounting for approximately 94% of total contributions. While Google plans to maintain this level of investment, it welcomes additional contributions from the broader community.
The company continues to invest significantly in the shared infrastructure necessary to support Chromium, including running millions of tests, addressing hundreds of bugs daily, and ensuring the project’s overall health.
Microsoft’s Continued Investment
Microsoft also announced its participation in the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers initiative, reaffirming its commitment to the Chromium open-source project. Since adopting Chromium for Microsoft Edge six years ago, Microsoft has made substantial contributions to the platform, benefiting both Edge and other Chromium-based browsers.
The company believes that the initiative will help increase the diversity of contributions by providing a neutral platform for third-party organizations. The initiative’s governance model will emphasize transparency and community-driven development, focusing on the needs of developers and end-users alike.
What’s Next?
As the initiative moves forward, organizations like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Opera will continue collaborating with the open-source community to advance web technologies.
The initiative will follow an inclusive and transparent governance model, with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) guiding its development to ensure it meets the needs of the wider Chromium community.