Chrome isn't a not-for-profit charity project. We know it is a free (not paid for by the user) software built by a for-profit company and we can safely assume the intention to monetize it exists. Even so, I'm glad Chrome exists as it has meaningfully accelerated web technologies forward and has helped keep web secure. In return for their investments, if they get to make money off it in clear and transparent ways, I don't have a problem with it.

We act as though we are finding out the ads powered free software services business model today. All of user facing google products – Chrome, Android, Gmail, Youtube, Photos, GSuite etc all exists because they are paid for by ads revenue from ads side of the business. One can make a very strong case that the net benefit far far out weights any harm on the other side.