[tor-talk] Google as default search engine revisited

[Joe Btfsplk]

On 1/10/2012 10:26 AM, 5p4m at gmx.de wrote:
> I found a thread in the archive (November 2011), but I could not
> find a satisfying answer to the questions
>
> 1. Why is Google the default search engine in the TOR browser bundle?
>
> 2. Does TOR get money from Google
>    a) for using Google as the default search engine?
>    b) in general?
Re:  Get $.  Probably.  Just like a lot of other free software get 
funding from installing search engines or toolbars.  But no one has to 
use Google search or even keep their search engine plugin installed (in 
TBB, Firefox, etc.).  Just install & use the other "privacy respectful" 
search engines.  "Non-Profit" orgs have to get funds from somewhere.  
Some don't like Mozilla's business deals w/ Google - others don't care 
or even know there IS a relationship.  A lot of people don't like 
Google, in general, because of their past privacy invasions (some of 
which they still do, per Privacy Policy).  Many obviously don't care.

Bottom line:  in any business, if people don't like a certain company or 
product & want other competing companies to succeed, that conduct their 
business in ways that's more palatable to the customer, then customers 
must support / use those other, often smaller companies.  Else, there 
won't be much competition to choose from.