Whatever Google stopped tracking they did because of regulation not out of user backlash or goodwill.
Why should they siphon data to a third parties when they themselves want the data, and its a competitive advantage to keep that data for themselves.
What we are seeing is chrome becoming the new IE where alternatives browsers are not longer allowed on the internet. "You’re using a web browser that is not supported. In order to use [Insert website], please download Chrome for the best experience. Download Chrome here!". (https://www.datanyze.com/browser-support/ie/index.html)
Like Manifest V3, which explicitly makes it harder to strip out Google's own ad products on websites you visit?
> without Google all that BS would get bundled in the browser.
Or maybe it wouldn't. There are already lots of other browsers that don't.
You crush up the bitter pill in a spoonful of jam to make it easier to digest.
> Is apple doing similar things with Safari for nefarious reasons?
Yes? Look at what they tried to get away with with PWAs as an example.
This is illegal for a reason. It does NOT benefit consumers to make it impossible for anybody to compete with you. This is anti-competitive, not competition.
After all there's a reason people here care about PiHole and such, because ISP's are doing such shenanigans. Or TV makers peeking at pixels so they can phone home to report on what you're watching.
When it comes to Google, we already find ourselves dealing with worse.
Maybe we'll get something from Mozilla eventually - but I'm not holding my breath. I suspect it'll only happen if there's a massive awareness campaign that produces a demand signal for it in the general public (as opposed to just tech nerds).