AI Start-Up Perplexity Makes Shock $34.5 Billion Bid to Acquire Google Chrome
In a bold and unexpected move, rising artificial intelligence company Perplexity has submitted a $34.5 billion (£25.6 billion) acquisition proposal to purchase Google Chrome, the world’s most widely used internet browser. The proposal, delivered directly to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc.—Google’s parent company—suggests that transferring Chrome’s ownership to a more neutral operator could enhance user safety and public trust in web browsing.
According to Perplexity, spinning Chrome off from Google and placing it in the hands of an independent organization focused on transparency and user rights would represent a significant win for internet users globally. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining the platform’s accessibility and open nature while enhancing privacy protections.
Despite the announcement, many within the tech industry have cast doubt on the seriousness of the bid. Heath Ahrens, a seasoned technology investor and start-up founder, dismissed the move as a “publicity stunt,” arguing that the offered amount significantly undervalues Chrome’s actual market worth. He pointed out that with over three billion users, Chrome plays a pivotal role in Google’s digital ecosystem, and the platform’s strategic importance and data infrastructure likely make it worth much more—potentially up to ten times the proposed amount.
Google remains silent to Perplexity’s bid
Furthermore, Google has not issued any statement indicating an interest in selling Chrome. The BBC reached out to the tech giant for comment, but as of now, Google has not responded. Observers note that no indication has been given publicly or privately that Chrome is available for sale. In fact, the company has previously stated that any plans to separate Chrome from the rest of its operations would be highly disruptive and detrimental to consumer security.
This development arrives at a particularly sensitive time for Google, which is currently facing mounting legal pressure in the United States over alleged antitrust violations. The tech giant is the target of two major antitrust lawsuits, with a U.S. federal judge expected to deliver a decision in one of the cases soon. If the ruling goes against Google, it may be ordered to divest parts of its search or advertising businesses. Google has already vowed to challenge such outcomes, arguing that proposals like spinning off Chrome are both unprecedented and potentially harmful to consumers.
Perplexity describes it’s bid
Perplexity’s spokesperson, in a statement, described the bid as a “strategic commitment to the principles of an open web, user freedom, and long-term stability for Chrome users.” The company also reassured that, if the acquisition were successful, Google would remain the default search engine within Chrome, although users would still retain the option to switch providers.
Perplexity also stated it would continue to maintain and support Chromium, the open-source browser engine that serves as the foundation for Chrome as well as other popular browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera. However, the AI firm did not offer clarity on how it would finance the multi-billion dollar acquisition. As of July, Perplexity’s estimated valuation stood at around $18 billion, raising questions about how it would fund a purchase nearly double that amount.
Tomasz Tunguz, a venture capitalist with Theory Ventures, echoed concerns about the offer’s realism, saying it falls far short of Chrome’s estimated true value. He noted that Chrome’s role as a global data gateway and its integration with Google’s ecosystem significantly boost its valuation.
Nevertheless, some in the tech space speculate that if more prominent figures in the AI sector—such as Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI) or Elon Musk—were to make similar or larger offers, a serious challenge to Google’s dominance in the browser and search markets could emerge.
Perplexity increasing recognition
Perplexity is quickly becoming a noteworthy competitor in the generative AI space, joining the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Just last month, it introduced Comet, its own AI-powered internet browser, signaling its ambitions to expand beyond AI chat tools into core digital infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Perplexity also made headlines by expressing interest in acquiring the U.S. operations of TikTok, which is facing a possible ban unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company ByteDance by September. That offer, while also met with skepticism, further demonstrated Perplexity’s appetite for aggressive expansion and market disruption.
The company has reportedly attracted attention from major tech players, including Apple and Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, suggesting that Perplexity may be positioning itself as a future acquisition target—or a formidable standalone player in AI and web services.
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