Unconventional tech company Perplexity proposes a high-risk $34.5 billion offer for Google's Chrome browser, despite Google making no announcement about a potential sale.
In an unexpected move, tech company Perplexity has put forward a $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google's Chrome web-browser. This offer comes amid ongoing legal proceedings regarding Google's monopoly in the search market, which may consider forcing Google to sell off Chrome.
The bid is non-binding and positions itself as an asset sale aimed at satisfying potential antitrust remedies requiring Google to divest Chrome. Perplexity proposes to maintain Chrome's availability and support for at least 100 months post-acquisition, and invest $3 billion over two years to support the browser.
The offer is designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy in the highest public interest by placing Chrome with a capable, independent operator. However, it is unlikely that Perplexity's bid will succeed, as Google has shown no immediate interest in divesting Chrome.
The value of a platform like Chrome is difficult to determine, with estimates ranging from $20 billion to $50 billion. Google argues that forcing a sale of Chrome could harm its business and discourage it from investing in new technology.
Perplexity's reputation among major AI players is not exemplary, with allegations of using stealth, undeclared crawlers to evade website no-crawl directives and stealing content. Despite this, Perplexity has its own browser, Comet, which complements their bid and presents a competitive alternative.
It is important to note that the ultimate outcome depends on legal rulings and potential asset sales mandated by antitrust enforcement. The current status of the antitrust proceedings against Google's search market monopoly indicates that a federal judge is actively considering whether Google must divest Chrome following a landmark antitrust case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice.
This bid mostly serves as a strategic move to raise Perplexity's profile amid Google's antitrust challenges. It is not the last we'll hear about the possibility of Google offloading Chrome, as the proceedings continue to unfold.
Chrome currently has 3.5 billion users and owns roughly 60% of the global browser market. Google has declined to comment on the offer.
As the tech industry continues to evolve, we will keep you updated on the latest developments regarding Google's Chrome browser and the antitrust proceedings against the company.
- Perplexity's bid to acquire Google's Chrome web-browser, at $34.5 billion, could alter the landscape of the tech industry, especially if Google's monopoly in the search market leads to a mandate to divest Chrome.
- By investing $3 billion over two years to support Chrome, Perplexity aims to demonstrate its commitment to the browser's continuity and growth, a move seen as an attempt to satisfy potential antitrust remedies.
- The strategic move by Perplexity could potentially impact the personal-finance and general-news sectors, as the outcome of this acquisition might affect the financial stakeholders and the dissemination of information through Chrome.
- The acquisition bid also highlights the complex relationship between technology, policy-and-legislation, and politics, as the legal proceedings against Google's search market monopoly are likely to influence the future of not only Google but also the broader tech industry.
- Despite concerns about Perplexity's reputation, its existing browser, Comet, presents a competitive alternative, and the acquisition might trigger a shift in the power dynamics within the browser market.
- As the antitrust proceedings against Google unfold, the potential sale of Chrome could also have significant implications for the finance and investing community, given the substantial value of such a platform, estimated to range from $20 billion to $50 billion.
