Perplexity, OpenAI want to buy Chrome from Google

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

In a high-stakes antitrust trial against Google, Dmitry Shevelenko, Chief Business Officer of AI startup Perplexity, reluctantly took the witness stand after being subpoenaed. 

While he initially feared retaliation from Google, Shevelenko used the opportunity to pitch his company as a potential buyer for Google’s Chrome browser, should the court force Google to sell it.

The US DOJ is pushing for tough remedies after a judge ruled last year that Google maintains an illegal monopoly in online search. 

One proposal is for Google to spin off Chrome and its open-source Chromium. Google strongly opposes this, warning that a new owner might mishandle the software or start charging for it, disrupting the entire web browser ecosystem.

Shevelenko, however, believes Perplexity could take over Chrome and run it successfully without compromising quality or introducing fees. 

In court, Shevelenko criticized how difficult it is for users to set Perplexity as their default assistant on Android devices, claiming that Google’s control over Android and its search contracts make it nearly impossible for rivals to compete. 

He said that companies wanting to work with Perplexity feared losing Google’s financial incentives, describing it as having a “gun to their head.” (Via: The Verge)

One phone company reportedly wanted to make Perplexity the default assistant, but it couldn’t because of Google’s restrictions. 

Another company agreed to preload Perplexity but still couldn’t bypass Google’s dominance.

Shevelenko admitted that while his company benefits from the current pressure on Google, he doesn’t necessarily want Chrome sold off, especially not to a company like OpenAI that might limit its open-source nature. 

OpenAI, which also showed interest in buying Chrome, testified that it once tried partnering with Google but was rejected. 

OpenAI has since been building its own search technology, though progress is slower than expected.

The trial continues, and Judge Amit Mehta’s decision will reshape the Chrome browser’s future.

What are your thoughts on Google potentially not owning Chrome anymore? Who would you like to see buying Chrome? We want to hear your thoughts below in the comments, or via our Twitter or Facebook.