Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – In a bold move that’s turning heads in the tech world, the young company Perplexity has put forward a huge $34.5 billion cash offer to buy Google’s popular Chrome browser. This comes right as Google faces pressure from a big court case that might force it to sell off parts of its business. The offer, which was first reported yesterday, is backed by some big investors, even though Perplexity itself is worth less than that amount, around $18 billion at its last check.
Perplexity, started just three years ago, is known for its smart search tools that help people find answers quickly online. They’ve already launched their own browser called Comet, but snapping up Chrome would give them access to billions of users worldwide. Chrome is the go-to browser for more than three billion people, making it a key player in how folks get to the internet every day. If this deal goes through, Perplexity says they’ll keep things running smoothly: the core code behind Chrome, called Chromium, would stay open for anyone to use, and they’d pump in $3 billion over the next couple of years to make it even better. Plus, they promise not to mess with the default search engine, which is Google’s own.
This isn’t the first time Perplexity has aimed high. Earlier this year, they tried to team up with TikTok USA to sort out its issues in the U.S., but that didn’t pan out. Now, they’re eyeing Chrome amid all the legal drama surrounding Google. Last year, a judge ruled that Google had been playing unfair in the search market, basically holding too much power and blocking others from competing. The U.S. Department of Justice thinks selling Chrome could level the playing field, since the browser feeds a ton of data back to Google for ads and searches. A decision on what Google has to do could come any day now, and Google plans to fight it all the way up the courts if needed.
Google hasn’t said a word yet about the offer, but experts think it’s a long shot. Some say Chrome is worth way more, maybe $50 billion or higher, and that Google won’t let go without a fight. After all, Chrome is a big part of how Google stays on top, helping them roll out new features and keep users hooked. If forced to sell, it could open the door for other companies like OpenAI or even private investors to jump in.
For Perplexity, this could be a game-changer. Led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, the company is pushing hard to stand out in the crowded field of online search tools. By grabbing Chrome, they’d not only get a massive user base but also a stronger spot to build their own tech. They argue the deal would be good for everyone, keeping choices open and avoiding more antitrust headaches down the line.
Still, the road ahead is tricky. The court case could drag on for years, maybe even to the Supreme Court, and Google has made it clear they’re against breaking up their empire. Analysts are watching closely, wondering if this bid is just a clever way for Perplexity to stir things up or a real shot at reshaping the web. Either way, it’s a reminder of how fast things are changing in tech, with upstarts like Perplexity challenging the giants.
As we wait for Google’s response and the judge’s ruling, one thing’s clear, the fight over who controls our online gateways is heating up. This could mean more options for users in the long run, but it’ll take time to see how it all shakes out.
