In a strategic maneuver, AI startup Perplexity has made an aggressive $34.5 billion offer for Google Chrome. This move comes as Google faces the threat of a forced sale of the browser in U.S. antitrust proceedings, where a federal judge has already ruled the company has an illegal monopoly on internet search. Perplexity aims to acquire the browser before it is potentially divested.
The unsolicited bid, which has not yet received a response from Google, places Perplexity in a competitive position against rival startup OpenAI, which has also shown interest in acquiring Chrome. Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer has addressed concerns about the company’s financial capacity, stating that “multiple large investment funds have agreed to finance the transaction in full.”
To assuage user fears about potential changes to the browser, Perplexity has pledged a “commitment to continuity,” promising no “stealth modifications.” The company has also structured the offer to not include any equity in Perplexity, a step designed to mitigate any potential antitrust issues related to the deal itself.
This strategic bid is part of a pattern for Perplexity, which previously attempted to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations when it faced a potential ban. For AI companies, web browsers are increasingly seen as a vital platform for the development and deployment of AI agents. If the acquisition is successful, Perplexity has promised to invest $3 billion into Chrome and Chromium over the next two years and retain a significant portion of its existing team.