Google Chrome, one of the most popular browsers in the world, is now in the spotlight after speculations emerged that Google might have to sell it. This is due to the ongoing antitrust case in the United States, which could potentially force Google to divest its ownership of Chrome. If it does go up for sale, several major tech companies such as OpenAI, DuckDuckGo, and Perplexity have expressed interest in acquiring the browser.
Background, Google Antitrust Case
Google has long faced accusations that it operates an illegal monopoly in online search services. With a market share of more than 90%, Google is considered too dominant and stifles healthy competition in the tech industry. One solution being considered by the courts is to force Google to ditch Chrome, which is currently the default browser on many Android devices and Chromebooks.
While no final decision has been made, the possibility of selling Chrome has attracted the attention of many tech companies looking to take over the browser and integrate it with their own services.
Companies Interested in Acquiring Chrome
If Google really has to sell Chrome, several big companies have expressed interest in acquiring the browser. Here are some of the leading candidates:
1. OpenAI
As a company at the forefront of artificial intelligence development, OpenAI sees a huge opportunity in acquiring Chrome. With the integration of their AI technology, OpenAI can transform Chrome into a smarter and more intuitive browser. Nick Turley, Head of Product at ChatGPT, stated that OpenAI is interested in buying Chrome if Google really has to sell it.
If OpenAI successfully acquires Chrome, they will likely replace the default search engine from Google Search to their own search technology, which currently relies on Bing.
2. Perplexity
Perplexity, a technology company focused on AI-powered search, has also shown great interest in Chrome. Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity's Chief Business Officer, said that his company is confident that it can run Chrome without sacrificing quality or charging users extra.
Perplexity sees an opportunity to improve the search experience with more sophisticated AI, while reducing users’ dependence on the Google ecosystem.
3. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo, known as a privacy-first search engine, is also interested in acquiring Chrome. DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg estimated that Chrome could be worth $50 billion or around Rp954.4 trillion . Although this price may be too high for DuckDuckGo, they still show great interest in this opportunity.
If DuckDuckGo were to successfully acquire Chrome, they would likely transform it into a more privacy-focused browser, eliminating the user tracking that has long been part of Google's ecosystem.
Challenges in Chrome Sales
While many companies are interested in buying Chrome, there are some major challenges to overcome:
- Google Still Controls Chromium
Chrome is based on Chromium , an open-source project developed by Google. If Google sells Chrome, they may no longer contribute to the development of Chromium, which could impact the quality and innovation of the browser. - A Long Legal Process
Google will likely appeal the court ruling forcing it to sell Chrome. The legal process could last years before a final decision is made. - Integration with Google Ecosystem
Chrome is currently heavily integrated with Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, and YouTube. If the browser were to be sold, the new company that acquired Chrome would have to find a way to maintain or replace these integrations without disrupting the user experience.
Conclusion
While Google Chrome has yet to be officially sold, speculation about a potential sale has caught the attention of many big tech companies. OpenAI, Perplexity, and DuckDuckGo are among the leading candidates looking to acquire the browser and transform it into their own vision.
But major challenges like Google’s control over Chromium and a lengthy legal process could make a Chrome sale more complicated than expected. If it does happen, a Chrome acquisition would be one of the biggest deals in tech history.
Would you like to see Chrome under new ownership? Or would you rather it stay under Google? This case will be one of the most interesting to follow in the next few years!
