Perplexity AI Makes Unsolicited $34.5 Billion Bid for Google Chrome Amid Antitrust Concerns
Perplexity AI made an unsolicited $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome, aligning with the US Department of Justice's divestiture proposal in Google's antitrust lawsuit.
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Overview
- Perplexity AI, an AI search firm recently valued at $14-18 billion, has made an unsolicited all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google's Chrome browser.
- This surprise bid comes amidst Google's ongoing antitrust lawsuit from the US Department of Justice, which proposed Chrome's divestiture as a potential remedy in March.
- Despite the significant offer and DOJ's proposal, Google's parent company Alphabet has resisted and stated it has no plans to sell or divest its Chrome browser.
- Perplexity vows to maintain Chrome users' default search engine preferences if the acquisition proceeds, aiming to address potential concerns about market control.
- Multiple funds and interested investors have expressed readiness to fully finance the $34.5 billion acquisition of Google Chrome if Alphabet agrees to the sale.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally by presenting factual information about Perplexity's unsolicited offer for Chrome. They focus on reporting the specific terms, providing essential market context regarding Google's legal challenges, and including relevant financial details about Perplexity, avoiding loaded language or selective emphasis.
"Perplexity's offer, therefore, is somewhat timely, but there could still be a long road ahead."
ARS Technica"If the plucky startup were to acquire the Chrome browser, it would give it a enormous advantage in the AI arms race -- where it's competing with much bigger fish, like Google, Meta and OpenAI."
CNET"Perplexity has offered to buy Chrome from Google for $34.5 billion cash in an unsolicited offer, and Perplexity has confirmed to TechCrunch."
TechCrunch"The offer is being characterized as a “longshot,” especially since Perplexity itself is only valued at about $18 billion."
GizmodoArticles (6)
Center (4)
FAQ
Perplexity AI made the unsolicited bid anticipating that the US Department of Justice may require Google to divest Chrome as a remedy in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google.
Alphabet has resisted the offer and stated it has no plans to sell or divest its Chrome browser despite the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit and Perplexity’s bid.
Perplexity AI has pledged to maintain Chrome users' default search engine preferences and plans to invest $3 billion over two years into Chrome and Chromium development.
Google Chrome is installed on billions of devices and accounts for well over 60% of global browser usage, making its divestiture a key potential remedy in the DOJ’s antitrust case.
Multiple funds and interested investors have expressed readiness to fully finance Perplexity AI's $34.5 billion bid if Alphabet agrees to sell Chrome.
History
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