Google's rationale is very weak, yes. But it makes no sense to say that this is the AOM pushing Google to do this as a proof of loyalty. Why wouldn't the same apply to Apple and Mozilla? In fact, if deprecating JPEG-XL is something the AOM wants, wouldn't you expect the browser vendors (all of whom are AOM founders) to all conspire to kill JPEG-XL? The right conspiracy theory here isn't even that AOM is forcing Google to do this as a proof of loyalty, the conspiracy theory which at least makes some semblance of sense is that Apple, Google and Mozilla are working to kill JPEG-XL to help their own image format win. But then it's just a group of companies acting in their own self interest and not some coercion, so I suppose that story isn't as sexy.