AI Firm Perplexity Makes $34.5 Billion Bid For Google's Chrome Browser

Core Insights - Perplexity has made a $34.5 billion offer for Google's Chrome browser amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny of Google [1][2] - The offer is supported by unnamed investors, including large venture-capital funds [2] - The bid comes after a U.S. District Judge found Google engaged in anticompetitive practices to maintain its search market monopoly [3] Antitrust Context - Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that Google "willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts," reinforcing a previous ruling by Judge Amit Mehta [3] - Federal prosecutors are advocating for the sale of Chrome, arguing it has strengthened Google's dominance in the search market [3] Perplexity's Position - Perplexity recently secured $100 million in funding, raising its valuation to $18 billion [4] - The company stated that the bid for Chrome aims to address antitrust concerns by placing the browser under an independent operator [4] - A ruling on remedies for Google's monopoly is expected by the end of the month [4]