> let's assume firefox is forced to allow people to make a choice of the default search engine
Firefox has always allowed people to make a choice of the default search engine, since before it was even called Firefox. I know. I was there building it.
This is not true. Firefox comes with a fixed default on installation. You can change the search engine afterwards but that does not make the default a user choice.
yes, but the default is google, and you have to go into the settings to make a choice, so most people keep the default. what i meant was the EU directive for microsoft where they actually had to put up a prompt at first use asking the user which browser they want, without allowing any default (and, i am not sure, maybe even a randomized list)
if the same was done for search engine choice for firefox then google would no longer be the default, and they would have no reason to pay firefox for that.
Firefox has always allowed people to make a choice of the default search engine, since before it was even called Firefox. I know. I was there building it.