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San Francisco, August 12, 2025 — In a bold move that has stunned the tech industry, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity has made a formal $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The unsolicited bid arrives as Google faces mounting legal pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to divest parts of its business following a series of antitrust rulings.
🔍 Background: Antitrust Rulings and Market Scrutiny
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has been embroiled in a multi-year legal battle with the DOJ over allegations of monopolistic practices in the search and advertising markets. In April 2025, a U.S. District Court ruled that Google had “willfully engaged in anticompetitive acts” to maintain dominance in online advertising technology. Regulators have since proposed structural remedies, including the potential forced sale of Chrome — a browser used by over 3 billion people globally.
💼 Perplexity’s Strategic Play
Perplexity, founded in 2022 and led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, has rapidly gained traction with its AI-powered search engine and assistant tools. Backed by major investors such as Nvidia, SoftBank, and Jeff Bezos, the company recently launched its own browser, Comet, which integrates AI-driven search and booking capabilities.
The acquisition of Chrome would give Perplexity unprecedented access to web-scale behavioral data and a massive user base, positioning it as a formidable competitor to Google in the search market. In a letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Perplexity described the offer as “designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy” by placing Chrome in the hands of an independent operator.
🏢 Industry Response and Other Suitors
Perplexity is not alone in its interest. Other tech firms, including Yahoo (backed by Apollo Global Management), have reportedly explored bids for Chrome. The DOJ is expected to issue guidance on antitrust remedies later this month, which could influence Alphabet’s response to the offer.
📈 Implications for the Future of Search
If successful, the acquisition could dramatically reshape the competitive landscape of internet search and browser technology. Experts suggest that Perplexity could integrate its AI systems directly into Chrome, offering a new monetization model and user experience that rivals traditional search engines.
