AI Start-Up Expresses Interest in Google's Browser
Artificial intelligence firm Perplexity has offered to acquire Google Chrome, the globe's most popular open-source browser. The firm, founded by Arvind Srinivas, has reportedly offered a $34.5 billion takeover. This sum is greater than the market value of Perplexity itself. Chrome is currently the leading browser globally, but American government pressure could make Google sell it.
Funding Plan for the Deal
Perplexity intends to engage outside investors to finance the acquisition, according to Bloomberg. Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko said that several investors have committed to financing the transaction in full. Perplexity raised $100 million in July, placing a valuation of around ₹1.57 lakh crore on the company. The offer from Chrome is almost twice that valuation.
Commitment to Open Source
Perplexity affirmed the offer in a statement to TechCrunch. It vowed to continue keeping Chromium, Chrome's underlying engine, open source. The business also vowed $3 billion per year in investment in the browser. It said Chrome's default search engine would not be altered even if the acquisition is successful.
Google Under Antitrust Scrutiny
No word from Google affirming the intention to sell Chrome is available. The District of Columbia Court has held that Google has a monopoly in the browser market. The U.S. Justice Department and some state governments have charged Google with entering into arrangements with Samsung and Apple and paying them to have Google Search set as the default. The suit argues that these activities are antitrust violations. Government suggestions are selling Chrome, licensing search data to competitors, and stopping exclusive promotion payments.
Perplexity's Future Plans
Perplexity has an AI search engine and a ChatGPT-like application. It also has a browser service named Comet. Perplexity plans to reach 100 million users by 2026. Discussions are being held with phone manufacturers to widen its browser base.
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