AI startup Perplexity has made an audacious $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google Chrome, a move timed to coincide with a potential court-ordered breakup of Google’s monopoly. A US federal judge has already ruled that Google has an illegal monopoly on internet search, and remedies proposed by the US government include the forced sale of the Chrome browser.
The unsolicited bid places Perplexity in a direct contest with rival OpenAI, which has also expressed interest in acquiring Chrome. Despite skepticism about its ability to finance the massive deal, Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer has stated that “multiple large investment funds have agreed to finance the transaction in full.” This move highlights the strategic importance of web browsers for AI companies aiming to build agents that can complete tasks for users.
Perplexity is attempting to proactively address concerns from both users and regulators. The company has promised to avoid “stealth modifications” to the browser, assuring users of a commitment to continuity. Furthermore, the offer excludes any equity in Perplexity, a move designed to mitigate any antitrust concerns related to the acquisition itself. Google has not yet responded to the news.
This is not Perplexity’s first attempt to acquire a major online platform facing regulatory pressure; it previously made a bid to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations. If the offer is accepted, Perplexity has pledged to invest $3 billion over two years in Chrome and Chromium and to retain a “substantial portion” of Chrome’s talent, signaling its commitment to the browser’s future.