Artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Perplexity has made a surprise $34.5bn takeover bid for Google's Chrome internet browser
Perplexity position
User safety would benefit the public after Moving Chrome to an independent operator, Perplexity said in a letter to Sundar Pichai, the boss of Google's owner Alphabet.
As part of the proposed takeover, Perplexity said it would continue to have Google as the default search engine within Chrome, though users could modify 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 about how the proposed deal would be funded. In July, it had an estimated value of $18bn.
Google's Position
The Google has not announced any plans to sell Chrome - the world's most popular web browser with an estimated three billion-plus users, BBC reports.
After the technology titan involved in years of legal discussions as part of two antitrust cases, Google's dominance of the search engine and online advertising market has come under intense survey.
A US federal judge is expected to issue a ruling this month that could see Google being ordered to break up its search business.
The company declared that spinning off Chrome was an "unprecedented proposal" that would harm consumers and security.
Experts opinions
Technology industry investor and start-up founder Heath Ahrens called Perplexity's move a "stunt, and nowhere near Chrome's true value, given its unmatched data and reach."
"The offer isn't serious, but if someone like Sam Altman or Elon Musk tripled it, they could genuinely secure dominance for their AI," he added.
It is also not clear whether Google is considering selling their platform, Tomasz Tunguz from Theory Ventures said.
He also said 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."
What is Perplexity?
Perplexity's app is among the rising players in the generative AI, alongside more well-known platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.
Last month, it launched an AI-powered browser called Comet.
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.
Why Perplexity is planning to buy Chrome?
The AI sphere gets through a harsh concurrence. Tech giants, as Meta and Open AI are ready to give massive paychecks for talent, while both startups spend tens of billions on AI infrastructure annually. Buying Chrome would create strong positions for Perplexity through unlimited access to users and search traffic.
If the company pulls off the acquisition, it would gain a direct path in the browser market, and put itself in direct competition with nowadays monopolists.
U.S. military forces have seized a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking the vessel from the Caribbean Sea, the Pentagon said on Mo...
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Armenia, marking the first time a sitting U.S. vice president or president has visited the country, as Was...
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down, saying that “the distraction needs to end and the leaders...
Pressure is mounting on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid resignations and a row over Peter Mandelson, a powerful figure in the ruling Labour Party....
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has accused Afghanistan’s authorities of fostering conditions “similar to or worse than pre-9/11”, as te...
Alphabet is emerging as a frontrunner in the global artificial intelligence race, as analysts and executives say Google has overtaken OpenAI, marking a sharp reversal from a year ago when the company was widely seen as lagging.
China’s internet user base has climbed to about 1.125 billion people, highlighting the country’s vast digital reach and creating fertile ground for the rapid spread of generative artificial intelligence across daily life, work and business.
Tech mogul Elon Musk's social media platform X is under scrutiny by the European Union over its AI tool Grok. Concerned officials state the technology may have been used to generate sexualised images of real people in the European Union.
The post-pandemic period marked a turning point in global debates over politics, economics, and governance. In late 2022, the release of ChatGPT accelerated the shift from abstract discussions of artificial intelligence to its everyday relevance.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised American freestyle skier Hunter Hess after the athlete said he felt conflicted about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy, sparking a public clash that highlights growing political tensions surrounding the Games.
U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent crash just seconds into the race at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
Several avalanches struck northern Italy on Saturday, killing at least three people, as rescue officials warned the death toll could rise with unstable conditions persisting across the Alps.
Police in riot gear pushed toward a group of protesters who launched fireworks, flares and smoke bombs during a demonstration in Milan on Saturday, as the city hosted events on the first full day of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
The death toll from the collapse of two residential buildings in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli has risen to 15, state media said on Monday, as rescue teams wrapped up search operations and officials warned that more people could still be missing.
The European Union has launched its largest semiconductor pilot line under the European Chips Act, investing 700 million euros ($832 million) in the new NanoIC facility at IMEC in Leuven, Belgium, as part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty.
Alphabet is emerging as a frontrunner in the global artificial intelligence race, as analysts and executives say Google has overtaken OpenAI, marking a sharp reversal from a year ago when the company was widely seen as lagging.
China’s internet user base has climbed to about 1.125 billion people, highlighting the country’s vast digital reach and creating fertile ground for the rapid spread of generative artificial intelligence across daily life, work and business.
New Juno measurements show Jupiter’s equatorial and polar diameters are slightly smaller than once believed, giving scientists a clearer understanding of the gas giant’s structure.
Images from Iran's Paya (Tolu 3) Earth observation satellite have been officially displayed for the first time by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment