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| AI start-up Perplexity makes surprise $34.5bn bid for Google Chrome | AI start-up Perplexity makes surprise $34.5bn bid for Google Chrome |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Perplexity has made a surprise $34.5bn (£25.6bn) takeover bid for Google's Chrome internet browser. | Artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Perplexity has made a surprise $34.5bn (£25.6bn) takeover bid 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. | 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. |
| But one technology industry investor called the offer a "stunt" that is a much lower than Chrome's true value and highlighted it is not clear whether the platform is even for sale. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Google's dominance of the search engine and online advertising market has come under intense scrutiny, with the technology giant embroiled in years of legal wrangling as part of two antitrust cases. | Google's dominance of the search engine and online advertising market has come under intense scrutiny, with the technology giant embroiled in years of legal wrangling as part of two antitrust cases. |
| A US federal judge is expected to issue a ruling this month that could see Google being ordered to break up its search business. | 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 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. | 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. |
| A spokesman for Perplexity told the BBC that its 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 that its bid marks an "important commitment to the open web, user choice, and continuity for everyone who has chosen Chrome." |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | Perplexity did not respond to queries about how the proposed deal would be funded. In July, it had an estimated value of $18bn. |
| 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." | 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. | "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 the platform, Tomasz Tunguz from Theory Ventures told the BBC. | It is also not clear whether Google is considering selling the platform, Tomasz Tunguz from Theory Ventures told the BBC. |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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. | 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, it launched an AI-powered browser called Comet. | 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. | 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. | Perplexity has reportedly drawn interest from technology giants including Apple and Facebook-owner Meta. |