Perplexity Throws a Big Offer at Google to Acquire Chrome Amid Antitrust Tussle

In a surprising move amid Google's ongoing antitrust issues, Perplexity has emerged with a bold offer to buy the Chrome browser for an astounding $34.5 billion. However, this offer has raised eyebrows as it surpasses Perplexity's own market valuation, which stands at about $14 billion.

The backdrop to this proposal is the government's ongoing legal pressure on Google, which may require the tech giant to divest Chrome as part of a settlement in its major antitrust case—a move Google has vehemently opposed, describing it as a "radical interventionist agenda."

Perplexity, though cash-limited, is leveraging the current AI market craze to attract investment and fuel its ambitious bid. The company's AI-driven search capabilities have already garnered it significant investment, totaling around $1 billion, and it has the support of various venture funds in its audacious pursuit of Chrome.

The offer is particularly interesting as it includes $3 billion earmarked for maintaining Chromium, the open-source project powering Chrome and other browsers like Microsoft's Edge. Perplexity vows to uphold the project's open-source integrity while not mandating changes to Chrome's default search engine settings.

The outcome of this offer remains uncertain as it awaits the ruling from United States District Court Judge Amit Mehta. There is no guarantee of a sale, especially with values estimated to be much higher by other potential buyers. Additionally, a forced sale could spark lengthy legal battles and challenges from within the tech community.

If Perplexity's bid were to succeed, it would mark a significant shift in the technology landscape, highlighting the growing influence of AI startups in traditionally monopolistic domains handling vast amounts of user data. As these legal and market developments unfold, industry observers are keenly watching Perplexity's next moves.