Here's why Google might have to sell Chrome, and which companies want to buy it

Core Viewpoint - The future ownership of Chrome, the world's most popular web browser developed by Google, is uncertain due to ongoing antitrust legal challenges against Google, which may lead to a forced divestiture of the browser [1][2]. Antitrust Legal Challenges - A court ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly on internet search and digital ad markets [1]. - The Justice Department is seeking a court order to compel Google to divest Chrome, with a ruling expected by the end of the month [1]. Impact on Google and Alphabet Inc. - Analysts at Barclays suggest that divesting Chrome could lead to a significant decline in Google stock, estimated between 15% to 25% [2]. - Google argues that selling Chrome could make it obsolete and expose users to cyber-attacks [3]. Bids for Chrome - Search.com, backed by JP Morgan and private equity firms, made a $35 billion bid for Chrome [4]. - Perplexity, an AI search startup, also submitted a $34.5 billion bid for the browser [6]. - OpenAI has expressed interest in acquiring Chrome, with its CEO Sam Altman indicating a willingness to explore the opportunity [13][15]. Strategic Importance of Chrome - Chrome serves as a crucial distribution tool for Google Search and provides insights into user search habits, making it a valuable asset [2]. - Yahoo has also shown interest in bidding for Chrome, highlighting its strategic importance in the web ecosystem [17].