Perplexity Wants to Buy Google Chrome, A New Twist in the Anti-Trust Saga?

In a twist that has Silicon Valley buzzing, AI startup Perplexity has stunned the tech world by offering $34.5 billion to buy Google Chrome, the world’s most widely used web browser.

The audacious move comes at a moment of deep uncertainty for Google, which is waiting for US District Court Judge Amit Mehta to decide what penalties or “remedies” it will face after a landmark ruling last year declared the company held an illegal monopoly in online search.

If the court sides with US government attorneys, Chrome could be forced out of Google’s hands entirely, a scenario once considered unimaginable.

What is Google's Courtroom Matter?

For years, Google has dominated the way billions access the internet. But regulators argue that this dominance isn’t simply the result of better products, it’s the result of anticompetitive behavior.

Judge Mehta’s ruling last year already confirmed as much. Now, the question is: what’s the cure for a monopoly this big?

One radical proposal from US government lawyers is for Google to sell Chrome. For a company that built its empire on search, losing the browser that delivers that search to billions could be devastating.

Perplexity Wants to Buy Google

Perplexity, led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, is positioning itself as the “responsible steward” Chrome would need if removed from Google’s grip.

“This proposal is designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy in highest public interest by placing Chrome with a capable, independent operator focused on continuity, openness, and consumer protection,” Srinivas said in a letter of intent seen by AFP.

What makes the offer even more jaw-dropping is the math: Perplexity was recently valued at $18 billion — meaning it’s offering nearly twice its own value to take over Chrome.

Why Chrome Matters More Than Ever

Chrome isn’t just a browser; it’s a control point for the internet. With over 60% of the global browser market, it’s the front door for billions of online journeys — and by default, it points those journeys straight to Google Search.

Regulators worry that as artificial intelligence becomes the new interface for finding information, Google will leverage Chrome’s dominance to cement its search monopoly even further.

That’s why they’re considering the extraordinary step of breaking it off entirely.

Despite the bold headlines, not everyone is convinced Perplexity is serious. Analysts at Baird Equity Research say the bid “vastly undervalues Chrome” and suspect the company may simply be trying to influence Judge Mehta’s decision or draw other bidders into the fray.

They also point out that Perplexity already has its own browser — and would stand to benefit hugely if Chrome was no longer tied to Google.

Google’s Counterattack

Inside Google’s legal team, the strategy is clear: fight this at all costs. Attorney John Schmidtlein argued in court that 80% of Chrome’s users are outside the US, meaning any forced sale would have global consequences.

He warned that a divested Chrome would be “a shadow of the current Chrome” and might harm users rather than help them.

Think tank analysts like Jennifer Huddleston of the Cato Institute agree, warning that such drastic measures could backfire — stifling innovation and leaving smaller companies worse off.

The Bigger War: AI Search

Behind the courtroom drama is a bigger battle for the future of search itself. Perplexity, Microsoft, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT are all pushing AI-powered tools that can answer questions instantly, bypassing the traditional “list of links” approach.

Google is racing to weave AI into its own products, from Search to Chrome. Whoever controls the browser in this new AI age will hold a powerful advantage — and that’s exactly why Perplexity’s bid is striking such a nerve.

The tech world won’t have to wait long for answers. Judge Mehta’s decision is expected by the end of the month.

If Chrome is put up for sale, Perplexity’s bold move could kickstart one of the most intense bidding wars the internet has ever seen.

For now, this is a David-versus-Goliath moment — and while Goliath is still towering, David just picked up a $34.5 billion stone.