NEW YORK (Diya TV) — At the center of Google’s landmark antitrust trial, two major players in artificial intelligence — OpenAI and Perplexity — have surfaced as potential buyers of Google’s Chrome browser if regulators force a sale.
The Department of Justice’s sweeping case against Google accuses the tech giant of using its dominance in online search to stifle competition. One possible outcome: forcing Google to divest key assets, including Chrome, the world’s most widely used web browser. Although Chrome is not officially for sale, companies are already positioning themselves if that changes.
Earlier this month, OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, revealed it had expressed interest in buying Chrome, according to testimony from Nick Turley, OpenAI’s head of product for ChatGPT. Turley testified that OpenAI previously approached Google in 2023 about using its search API to power ChatGPT, but Google declined, citing competition concerns. As a result, ChatGPT continues to rely on Microsoft’s Bing for search and remains “years away” from building its search engine capable of handling most queries, Turley said.
Now, AI search startup Perplexity, founded by Aravind Srinivas, has joined the conversation. Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, testified during the trial that his company would also consider purchasing Chrome if it becomes available. “I think we could do it,” Shevelenko said when asked if another company could operate Chrome at scale without degrading its quality or introducing costs to users.
Despite expressing interest, Perplexity made it clear that it would prefer Google retain control over Chrome rather than see it fall into the hands of another powerful AI player like OpenAI. Shevelenko warned the court that if a buyer mismanages Chromium — the open-source codebase that underpins Chrome and many other browsers — it could destabilize the broader web browsing ecosystem. In particular, he raised concerns that OpenAI might abandon Chromium’s open model or fail to maintain it properly.
Perplexity, which has previously explored buying embattled tech platforms like TikTok, is also hedging its bets. The company is developing Comet, its own Chromium-based browser, in case Chrome’s future becomes uncertain, according to a LinkedIn post cited by The Information.
At the heart of the DOJ’s case is the claim that Google has leveraged exclusionary deals with device makers to maintain its search dominance. In the past, Google struck exclusive agreements with manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola to ensure its search engine was the default option on smartphones. Although more recent deals have become less restrictive, the DOJ wants a full ban on Google paying to be the default search engine.
Judge Amit Mehta, who is presiding over the case, has already found that Google engaged in exclusionary practices, a key early win for the DOJ. If regulators succeed, remedies could include forcing Google to spin off Chrome and Chromium, moves that could reshape the technology landscape.
For Perplexity, the stakes are high. The young startup wants the opportunity to grow without being overshadowed by Big Tech. But it also cautions that dismantling Google’s browser empire could create new risks if Chromium lands with a buyer unable or unwilling to protect the open web.
As of now, Chrome remains with Google. But as the trial continues, Silicon Valley’s most powerful and most ambitious players are watching closely.
