In August of the same year the Mozilla Corporation laid off approximately 250 employees due to shrinking revenues, After previously laying off roughly 70 in January (prior to the pandemic). B
Baker blamed this on the COVID-19 pandemic, despite revenue rising to record highs in 2019, and market share shrinking.
So, as you say, if one shifts the perspective, to look at Google, using what's pocket change to them to keep a competitor alive, in order to keep them out of anti-trust and continue to let them dictate how the web is shaped, it suddenly makes sense.
This is the plague that is currently overtaking all large corporations, and I can't help but think the workers are going to revolt, and they're going to do it soon.
The UAW strike seemed very tame compared to what is to come.
Of course the system is rigged but they don't know that.
I'm not 100% convinced UBI is viable or even desirable, but I know that companies really don't want people to be free to quit jobs they hate and companies don't want workers being secure and comfortable while they look for a new job that better meets their needs.
In the case of Mozilla? Everyone can leave for months and nothing would look amiss - the occasional marketing puff piece about privacy can be ChatGPT'd and critical browser issues outsourced to contractors.
Not saying Mozilla is in an easy position, but everyone could do her job without significantly influencing business results.