Tech giant Google proposes $34.5 billion acquisition for Chrome browser
In a move that could reshape the tech landscape, American company Perplexity has submitted a $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google's Chrome browser. This offer comes amidst a U.S. court case considering the possible forced sale of Chrome to weaken Google's monopoly in the web search market.
The offer, while not yet accepted or rejected by Google, has sparked significant interest. Google has remained silent on the matter, with no public response as of the latest reports in August 2025.
If the sale were to go through, the transfer of Chrome to Perplexity could disrupt Google's integrated ecosystem across search, ads, SEO, and analytics platforms. This divestiture could reduce Google's control over users' default web browsers, weakening its dominant position in the web search market, where it currently controls around 90% of the market share.
Perplexity's vision for Chrome includes maintaining its availability and supporting existing customers for over 8 years while investing $3 billion to enhance it. The potential addition of more AI-driven features could transform the user experience, setting a precedent for increased competition in the market.
The move could also set an important precedent for addressing Big Tech antitrust issues, potentially inspiring similar divestitures or acquisitions aimed at increasing market competition.
However, risks remain. The transition could affect user privacy, the user experience, and market competition dynamics. Google has expressed concerns about these risks, claiming that selling Chrome could increase cybersecurity risks and limit the development of new technologies.
Google's rejection of the offer has not been reported, but the company has stated that selling Chrome could undermine its business. The market value of Google's Chrome browser is not specified in the article, but the offer amount is almost twice the market value of Perplexity, estimated at $18 billion.
Despite the uncertainties, the potential acquisition of Chrome by Perplexity could significantly challenge Google’s longstanding dominance in web search by transferring it into the hands of a rising AI competitor focused on innovation and competition.
Experts view Perplexity's initiative as a sign of an interested buyer, with several investors reportedly ready to finance the purchase. However, it is not clear from the article whether Perplexity has been selected as the potential buyer in the court case.
The article does not provide any information about Perplexity's plans for Google's Chrome browser if the acquisition is successful. Google, on the other hand, has previously reported facing up to 65 billion rubles in fines for each case in U.S. arbitration, suggesting that the company may be under increasing pressure to address antitrust concerns.
In conclusion, the future of Google's Chrome browser remains uncertain, but the potential acquisition by Perplexity could mark a significant shift in the tech industry, potentially increasing competition and driving innovation in the web search market.
- The potential acquisition of Google's Chrome browser by Perplexity could lead to increased competition in the business and technology sector, as Perplexity plans to invest $3 billion to enhance the browser and potentially add more AI-driven features.
- In the realm of politics and general news, the move could set an important precedent for addressing Big Tech antitrust issues, inspiring similar divestitures or acquisitions aimed at increasing market competition.
- The possible sale of Chrome could have implications for finance, as the market value of the browser is nearly twice the market value of Perplexity, raising questions about Google's willingness to part with such a valuable asset, considering the potential risks and uncertainties involved.
