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Perplexity AI Makes USD 34.5 Billion Bid for Google’s Chrome Browser

  • tech360.tv
  • Aug 13
  • 2 min read

AI startup Perplexity AI has made an unsolicited USD 34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, aiming to gain a foothold in the competitive AI search market.


Google logo in bright colors on a tiled wall in an office hallway. The ceiling has exposed pipes, and there are glass doors and seating.
Credit: GOOGLE

The bid, announced Tuesday, comes despite Perplexity’s own valuation of just USD 14 billion. The three-year-old company has raised about USD 1 billion from investors including Nvidia and Japan’s SoftBank.


Perplexity, led by Chief Executive Aravind Srinivas, said multiple unnamed funds have offered to fully finance the deal.


The company previously made headlines in January with a similar offer to merge with TikTok US to address concerns over Chinese ownership.


Chrome, with more than 3 billion users, is a key asset in the AI race as browsers become critical gateways to search traffic and user data.


Reception area with wood shelves labeled "Where Knowledge Begins." A person works at a desk with "perplexity" text. Another sits on a couch using a laptop.
Credit: Perplexity

Perplexity already operates an AI browser called Comet, which can perform tasks on users’ behalf. Acquiring Chrome would significantly expand its reach and help it compete with rivals like OpenAI, which is also developing an AI browser.


The offer includes a pledge to keep Chrome’s underlying code, Chromium, open source, invest USD 3 billion over two years, and maintain Chrome’s default search engine.


Perplexity said the bid, which contains no equity component, would preserve user choice and reduce future competition concerns.


Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has not offered Chrome for sale and plans to appeal a U.S. court ruling that found it held an unlawful monopoly in online search.


The U.S. Department of Justice has proposed a divestiture of Chrome as part of the remedies in the antitrust case.


A ruling on the case’s remedies is expected this month from U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta.


Legal experts suggest a forced sale could be delayed for years due to appeals, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.


DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg has estimated Chrome’s value at a minimum of USD 50 billion if Google were compelled to sell.


Alphabet shares rose 1.6% in afternoon trading following news of the bid.

  • Perplexity AI made a USD 34.5 billion all-cash offer for Google’s Chrome browser

  • The startup is valued at USD 14 billion and has raised USD 1 billion to date

  • Chrome has over 3 billion users and is central to the AI search market


Source: REUTERS

 
 
 

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