Perplexity AI, an $18 billion startup whose AI-powered search engine hyperlinks out to authentic sources, simply made an unsolicited provide to purchase Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion, the Wall Avenue Journal was first to report.
In response to the WSJ report, Perplexity stated its provide to purchase Chrome is “designed to fulfill an antitrust treatment in highest public curiosity by inserting Chrome with a succesful, unbiased operator.”
“A number of massive funding funds have agreed to finance the transaction in full,” Perplexity Chief Enterprise Officer Dmitry Shevelenko stated, per Bloomberg.
Chrome might be valued wherever between $20 to $50 billion in accordance with analysts, nevertheless it is not precisely on the market. Google won’t have a selection, although.
In August 2024, a federal choose dominated that Google illegally monopolized the web search and search advertisements markets, writing in a 286-page opinion that “Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to keep up its monopoly” via unique agreements.
One treatment advised by the DOJ was for the tech big to promote its Chrome browser. A choose is anticipated to determine by the tip of August what Alphabet should do.
Google is interesting a part of the rulings and has indicated they aren’t concerned with promoting Chrome. However that does not imply there is not a slew of potential patrons.
In April, a choose requested ChatGPT’s Head of Product Nick Turley if OpenAI would attempt to purchase Chrome if guardian firm Alphabet was compelled to divest, and he stated a particular sure.
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“Sure, we’d, as would many different events,” Turley stated in court docket, including that ChatGPT and Chrome mixed would give his firm the possibility to supply an “unbelievable expertise” that is “AI-first.”
Perplexity AI relies in San Francisco and was based in 2022. The startup is getting ready the large launch of its personal browser, Comet, although the corporate stated it would not make any “stealth modifications” to Chrome if the deal went via.
Perplexity’s formal bid additionally stated it could “prolong gives to a considerable portion of Chrome expertise.”
At press time, Google Chrome has round 68% of the online browser market share (Safari is No. 2 with almost 16%, Microsoft Edge has 5%, and Firefox has 2.5%).
Perplexity AI additionally submitted a bid of not less than $50 billion to purchase TikTok in January, per CNBC.
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Perplexity AI, an $18 billion startup whose AI-powered search engine hyperlinks out to authentic sources, simply made an unsolicited provide to purchase Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion, the Wall Avenue Journal was first to report.
In response to the WSJ report, Perplexity stated its provide to purchase Chrome is “designed to fulfill an antitrust treatment in highest public curiosity by inserting Chrome with a succesful, unbiased operator.”
“A number of massive funding funds have agreed to finance the transaction in full,” Perplexity Chief Enterprise Officer Dmitry Shevelenko stated, per Bloomberg.
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