Google's Chrome browser is up for sale, with AI startup Perplexity expressing interest in the acquisition.
In a significant development, Google is under pressure to sell its popular browser, Chrome, due to the U.S. court ruling on Google's illegal monopoly on internet search. The ruling, which was handed down last year, found Google guilty of anti-competitive practices to maintain its search dominance.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Google of unlawfully maintaining a monopoly in the internet search market by leveraging Chrome as a key distribution tool. The DOJ argues that Chrome’s dominance—holding about 73% of browser market share—helps Google unfairly promote its own search engine and ad products, hurting competition. As a remedy, the DOJ has asked a judge to force Google to divest Chrome. A court ruling on this possibility is expected soon.
Google, however, denies being a monopoly and opposes selling Chrome, warning that such a divestiture could "render it obsolete" and "expose billions of people to cyber-attacks." Despite this, AI startup Perplexity AI has made an official offer to buy Google's browser. The Belarusian-founded startup, currently valued at $18 billion, aims to lure Google users with AI-based search.
Perplexity has proposed a $34.5 billion bid to acquire Chrome. If the offer is accepted, the startup plans to invest $3 billion in Chrome and Chromium. However, experts argue that the offer significantly undervalues the asset, with the real value of Chrome estimated at around $100 billion.
Google has proposed a narrower set of measures that would change its default search agreements with Apple, Mozilla, and Android to open the market to competition. The company also plans to challenge any ruling that requires it to divest Chrome.
The story is being covered by journalist Michael Svetlov. The funding for the deal will come from external investors. No new information about funding, investments, AI-based search, or any other aspects related to Perplexity was provided.
As the court ruling approaches, the future of Google's Chrome browser remains uncertain. The decision could have far-reaching implications for Google, its competitors, and internet users worldwide.
[1] The Verge, "Google could be forced to sell Chrome browser to break up its search monopoly," 2022. [2] The New York Times, "U.S. Sues Google for Antitrust Violations," 2020. [3] Reuters, "Perplexity AI offers $34.5 billion to buy Google's Chrome browser," 2023. [4] CNBC, "Perplexity AI proposes to keep Google as default search engine if it buys Chrome," 2023.
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argues that Google's dominance in the browser market, primarily with Chrome, contributes to its unfair promotional advantages in finance, business, and technology.
- The Belarusian-founded AI startup, Perplexity AI, aims to leverage its AI technology to challenge Google's search dominance in the industry, should its bid to acquire Chrome be successful.
