Perplexity backs £25bn bid for Google Chrome

A market surprise pits a small AI startup against a tech giant in a potential battle for browser control.

Perplexity bids £25bn for Google Chrome

Perplexity, a London based AI startup known for its language tools, has reportedly made an unsolicited bid to acquire Google Chrome for about £25 billion. The offer would surprise many observers because Chrome is a core product of Alphabet and a cornerstone of its advertising and search ecosystems. If confirmed, the bid would position Perplexity as a new owner of one of the web’s most used gateways, creating a dramatic shift in browser market dynamics.

The deal faces immediate hurdles. Alphabet would need to weigh antitrust risks, financing logistics, and how Chrome would be integrated under new ownership. Analysts say the move signals a broader push by AI firms to own critical online platforms, raising questions about competition, data privacy, and consumer choice in multiple jurisdictions.

If the bid is real, it marks a rare moment when a relatively small AI company pitches to run a major web platform. Regulators would be forced to consider how AI driven platforms could reshape competition and control over online gateways. The case could set a precedent for how far AI firms can push into platform ownership without stifling innovation.

Markets will watch for how Perplexity plans to finance the offer, and whether it can sustain the investment long enough to realize strategic advantages. A successful bid could trigger a broader scramble for control of web infrastructure, while a failure might accelerate existing strategies from big tech to diversify product lines. For users, the shift could alter privacy norms, ad ecosystems, and the cadence of browser updates.

Highlights

The outcome will shape how AI powered platform competition unfolds.