## AI Start-up Perplexity Makes Surprise $34.5 Billion Bid for Google Chrome **News Title/Type:** Technology News / Business Acquisition Offer **Report Provider/Author:** BBC News / Osmond Chia (Business Reporter) **Date/Time Period Covered:** The news reports on an event that occurred around August 13, 2025, with the offer being made recently. The US Department of Justice antitrust case against Google is described as "years-long," and a US federal judge's ruling is "expected this month." **Relevant News Identifiers:** * **Source:** BBC News * **URL:** https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3dpr0kkyz4o * **Published At:** 2025-08-13 02:20:29 --- ### Key Findings and Conclusions: * **Perplexity's Offer:** AI start-up Perplexity has made a surprise takeover offer of **$34.5 billion (£25.6 billion)** for Google's Chrome internet browser. * **Rationale for the Bid:** Perplexity stated that moving Chrome to an independent operator committed to user safety would benefit the public. * **Google's Dominance and Scrutiny:** The bid comes amid intense scrutiny of Google's dominance in the search engine and online advertising market, including a ongoing antitrust case by the US Department of Justice. * **Potential Regulatory Impact:** A US federal judge is expected to issue a ruling this month that could potentially force Google to break up its search business. However, the success of Perplexity's bid is uncertain, as it's unclear if Google will be compelled to sell Chrome. * **Analyst Skepticism:** Venture capitalist Tomasz Tunguz from Theory Ventures believes the offer is significantly lower than Chrome's actual worth, estimating it could be "ten times more valuable than the bid or more." * **Google's Stance:** Google has not announced any plans to sell Chrome and has previously stated that spinning off Chrome would be an "unprecedented proposal" that would harm consumers and security, and that they would appeal such a ruling. * **Perplexity's AI Ambitions:** Perplexity is a rising player in the generative AI race, with its own AI-powered browser, Comet, launched recently. The bid is framed as a commitment to the "open web, user choice, and continuity." * **Proposed Integration:** If the takeover were successful, Perplexity would maintain Google as the default search engine in Chrome, with users having the option to change settings. They would also support Chromium, the open-source platform underpinning Chrome and other browsers. * **Funding Uncertainty:** Perplexity did not disclose how the proposed deal would be funded. * **Perplexity's Valuation:** In July, Perplexity had an estimated valuation of **$18 billion**. * **Previous Acquisition Interest:** Perplexity previously made headlines for offering to buy the American version of TikTok and has reportedly drawn interest from tech giants like Apple and Meta. --- ### Key Statistics and Metrics: * **Perplexity's Takeover Offer:** **$34.5 billion** (approximately £25.6 billion) * **Chrome Users:** Estimated **three billion-plus** users, making it the world's most popular web browser. * **Perplexity's Valuation (July):** Estimated **$18 billion** --- ### Important Recommendations: * None explicitly stated in the provided news excerpt. --- ### Significant Trends or Changes: * **Increased Scrutiny on Tech Giants:** The bid highlights the growing regulatory pressure on dominant technology companies like Google. * **AI Start-ups' Growing Influence:** Perplexity's bold move demonstrates the increasing ambition and potential financial clout of AI start-ups. * **Focus on User Safety and Open Web:** Perplexity's stated motivation emphasizes a trend towards prioritizing user safety and an open internet ecosystem. --- ### Notable Risks or Concerns: * **Uncertainty of Deal Success:** The bid's success is highly dependent on potential regulatory actions against Google and Google's willingness to sell Chrome. * **Valuation Discrepancy:** Analysts suggest Perplexity's offer significantly undervalues Chrome. * **Funding for the Acquisition:** The lack of disclosed funding mechanisms for the $34.5 billion bid raises questions. * **Google's Opposition:** Google has indicated strong opposition to any forced spin-off of Chrome. --- ### Material Financial Data: * **Perplexity's Offer:** **$34.5 billion** * **Perplexity's Estimated Valuation (July):** **$18 billion** * **Chrome's Estimated Value (Analyst Opinion):** Potentially "ten times more valuable than the bid or more."
AI start-up Perplexity makes surprise $34.5bn bid for Google Chrome
Read original at BBC →Osmond ChiaBusiness reporter, BBC NewsReporting fromSingaporeArtificial intelligence (AI) start-up Perplexity has made a surprise $34.5bn (£25.6bn) takeover offer for Google's Chrome internet browser.Moving Chrome to an independent operator committed to user safety would benefit the public, Perplexity said in a letter to Sundar Pichai, the boss of Google's owner Alphabet.
Google's dominance of the search engine and online advertising market has come under intense scrutiny, with the technology giant facing a years-long antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice.The BBC has contacted Google for comment. The firm has not announced any plans to sell Chrome - the world's most popular web browser with an estimated three billion-plus users.
A US federal judge is expected to issue a ruling this month that could see Google being ordered to break up its search business. But some analysts have said the bid is unlikely to be successful as it is still unclear whether or not Google will be forced to sell Chrome.Venture capitalist Tomasz Tunguz from Theory Ventures also told the BBC that the offer is a lot lower than the browser is worth "given the value of Chrome is likely significantly higher – maybe ten times more valuable than the bid or more."
The company has said it would appeal such a ruling, saying the idea of spinning off Chrome was an "unprecedented proposal" that would harm consumers and security.Perplexity's app is among the rising players in the generative AI race, alongside more well-known platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.
Last month, Perplexity launched an AI-powered browser called Comet. The bid marks an "important commitment to the open web, user choice, and continuity for everyone who has chosen Chrome," a spokesman for Perplexity told the BBC.As part of the proposed takeover, Perplexity said it would continue to have Google as the default search engine within Chrome, though users could adjust their settings.
The firm said it would also maintain and support Chromium, a widely-used open-source platform that supports Chrome and other browsers including Microsoft Edge and Opera.Perplexity did not respond to queries on how the proposed deal would be funded. In July, it had an estimated value of $18bn.The company made headlines earlier this year after offering to buy the American version of TikTok, which faces a deadline in September to be sold by its Chinese owner or be banned in the US.
Perplexity has reportedly drawn interest from technology giants including Apple and Facebook-owner Meta.
