Google's proposed acquisition of Chrome by Perplexity, valued at $34.5 billion, sparks concern amid ongoing antitrust lawsuits
Google's popular Chrome browser remains under the tech giant's ownership, despite an unsolicited $34.5 billion bid from AI startup Perplexity [2][4]. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for a court order to force Google to sell Chrome due to antitrust concerns, but no ruling has been made as of yet [2][4].
Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine launched in 2022, has been making headlines for its innovative approach to web search. The platform gathers real-time information from the web to respond to search queries, and it shares longer answers as opposed to competing tools with a chat-focused interface [3]. However, the makers of Perplexity claim that the search engine shares results that are "backed by verifiable sources," but this claim has been disputed [3]. Forbes and Wired have accused Perplexity of plagiarism [3].
Meanwhile, some people on Reddit have expressed skepticism about Perplexity's search engine, with one user saying, "I'd rather Bing" [1]. The valuation of Perplexity is around $18 billion, only slightly more than half of the value of its offer to buy Chrome [2].
In a separate development, Trump Media recently announced Truth Search AI, an AI search engine powered by Perplexity. The tool is currently in beta testing on the web version of Truth Social, with Android and iOS testers expected to gain access soon [2].
Google, on the other hand, continues to actively develop and update Chrome. Recent releases and new features have been announced as of August 2025 [1][3][5]. Chrome currently holds a 67.92% share across all devices, according to StatCounter [2].
It's important to note that Google Chrome is not currently for sale, and Google has not officially put Chrome up for sale [2][4]. The DOJ's antitrust case against Google is ongoing, with no definitive ruling on whether Google will be forced to sell Chrome.
In recent years, lawsuits and accusations about plagiarism are not exclusive to Perplexity; OpenAI and Microsoft have faced lawsuits about copyright infringement [3]. As the situation unfolds, the future of Google Chrome and Perplexity remains to be seen.
References: 1. Google Chrome 2025 Updates 2. Perplexity Offers to Buy Google Chrome 3. Perplexity Accused of Plagiarism 4. DOJ Pushes for Google Chrome Sale 5. Chrome Market Share
- Microsoft, in contrast to Perplexity, has been developing its own software, such as the Windows operating system and the Edge browser, while also expanding its presence in the gaming world with Xbox.
- While Google Chrome remains under Google's control, it faces competition even within Google's family of products, as the Edge browser has been improving and receiving updates.
- It's worth mentioning that an AI-driven software like Perplexity also exists within the Microsoft ecosystem, with the company's commitment to technology and software development allowing for such innovations.
- In the coming updates for various PC platforms, users may find enhanced functionalities not only in Chrome but also in Microsoft's offerings, as both companies continue to adapt and innovate in the technology sector.
