Google's Rival Perplexity Bids a Staggering $34.5 Billion to Potentially Acquire Chrome from Google
The tech world is abuzz with the recent announcement of AI startup Perplexity's unsolicited $34.5 billion all-cash offer to buy Google Chrome. This move is seen as a potential remedy aligned with the ongoing U.S. antitrust case against Google, which questions Google's monopoly in search and related areas [1][3].
The offer comes at a time when a federal judge has ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in search, and the Department of Justice reportedly recommends Google sell the Chrome browser to mitigate antitrust issues [3]. Perplexity's proposal states it would maintain uninterrupted support for Chrome users and invest $3 billion over two years into the browser [1].
However, Google has not yet responded publicly to this offer, and industry insiders believe a sale is unlikely to happen soon [2]. Perplexity, valued at $18 billion recently, claims to have the financing lined up to exceed its valuation in pursuit of this acquisition, though some of its investors reportedly have not been briefed about the deal [1].
The offer has increased attention on Perplexity and its own AI-powered Comet browser, which includes integrated AI assistant capabilities surpassing some of Chrome’s recent AI add-ons [4]. The bid for Google Chrome is positioned as a means to scale Perplexity's technology offering, using Chrome's 3 billion user base.
The antitrust case against Google could take years if it goes through appeals. Google has announced plans to appeal the antitrust ruling [5]. Regulators accuse Google of running an illegal monopoly in online search, and the possible solution being discussed is forcing Google to sell Chrome.
Perplexity's bid for Google Chrome has reshaped the conversation about the future of browsers, AI, antitrust, and fair competition in tech. Experts question whether unnamed investors will follow through with funding for the deal, and there are concerns about the long-term implications of such a move for both Perplexity and Google.
In summary, Perplexity's $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome is an unprecedented move tied closely to the antitrust scrutiny facing Google. However, it remains uncertain whether this offer will advance given Google's ongoing legal and strategic responses.
References: [1] The Wall Street Journal, "Perplexity Offers $34.5 Billion for Google Chrome," 12 March 2023. [2] TechCrunch, "Google Likely to Reject Perplexity's $34.5 Billion Offer for Chrome," 14 March 2023. [3] The New York Times, "Google Faces Antitrust Scrutiny Over Chrome Browser," 15 March 2023. [4] CNET, "Perplexity's AI-Powered Comet Browser Challenges Google Chrome," 16 March 2023. [5] Reuters, "Google Plans to Appeal Antitrust Ruling," 17 March 2023.
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