Perplexity’s Gambit: Bidding on Chrome as Google’s Antitrust Woes Deepen

AI startup Perplexity has made an aggressive $34.5 billion offer for Google Chrome, a move that comes as Google faces the threat of a forced sale of the browser in U.S. antitrust proceedings. The U.S. government has proposed such a measure as a remedy for Google’s illegal monopoly on internet search, as ruled by a federal judge last year.
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 plans to finance the transaction through outside investors, a detail that addresses skepticism about its ability to afford the deal given its $18 billion valuation. The company’s Chief Business Officer has stated that several large investment funds have already committed to fully financing the acquisition.
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.