Big tech drama alert! If you’ve been following the Google antitrust case, things just got even spicier. Perplexity — yeah, that up-and-coming AI-driven search startup backed by Amazon — just dropped a bombshell in court: they’re ready and willing to take over Google Chrome if a federal judge forces Google to part with it.
Wait, what?
Yup. This could be one of the most important tech moves of the decade, and it’s all unfolding thanks to a massive lawsuit about Google’s search monopoly. Let’s break it down in plain English, because this story has layers — and it’s got major implications for the future of AI, browsers, and how we search online.
Quick Recap: Why Is Google Even in Court?
So first, let’s rewind.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Google for maintaining an illegal monopoly on search. The government’s argument? Google has been throwing around its money and market power to keep competitors out — mainly by locking down prime real estate on devices through default agreements. Basically, if you’ve ever tried to change your default search engine on your phone and got frustrated, that’s exactly what this lawsuit is about.
Last year, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google did in fact abuse its monopoly power, using shady contracts with phone and browser makers to box out competition. Now, we’re in the remedy phase — which means the court is figuring out what to do about it. And one possible remedy? Forcing Google to break off some of its most powerful products — like Chrome.
Enter: Perplexity.
Perplexity’s Wild Proposal: “We’ll Take Chrome”
At a recent hearing, Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, testified in front of the judge and basically said, “Hey, if Google has to sell Chrome, we’ll buy it.”
Now, that might sound like a stretch — Perplexity is still a startup, not a tech giant. But Shevelenko made a strong case. He told the court that Perplexity could run Chrome without charging users, and that the browser’s quality wouldn’t drop under their watch.
He even threw a little shade at the idea that only Big Tech could handle something as massive as Chrome, saying other AI companies (hello, OpenAI) might not be as committed to keeping it open-source and free.
Pretty bold for a young company, right?
Perplexity vs. Google: A Frustrating Battle for AI Integration
Perplexity’s court appearance wasn’t just about Chrome. Shevelenko also used the spotlight to share how tough it is for smaller AI players to compete fairly in a world where Google dominates the ecosystem.
He explained that on Android phones, it’s practically a maze of settings just to make Perplexity the default AI assistant. Even if users jump through all those hoops, it still doesn’t work the way Google Assistant does — no voice activation, just a clunky button.
Worse? Shevelenko said Perplexity hasn’t been able to strike deals with any phone manufacturers to get pre-installed, because those companies are tied down by restrictive Google contracts. He described it as having a “gun to their head.” Yikes.
There’s even a report that Perplexity had a deal lined up with Motorola to be the default assistant, but they couldn’t finalize it because of Google’s obligations. That’s some serious lock-in.
Meanwhile, Google’s Paying Big to Stay on Top
While Perplexity is fighting for visibility, Google is still spending big to maintain dominance.
On April 21, Peter Fitzgerald, Google’s VP of platforms and device partnerships, testified that Google is paying “enormous sums” to Samsung just to get its Gemini AI app pre-installed on Samsung devices. That’s right — the same Gemini AI that’s Google’s answer to ChatGPT.
So while upstarts like Perplexity are trying to squeeze through the cracks, Google is throwing around bags of cash to stay front-and-center on your phone screen.
What Happens If Chrome Actually Gets Sold?
Okay, so let’s say Judge Mehta decides Google has to sell Chrome. What then?
Chrome is the world’s most popular browser by a massive margin. It’s a gateway to the internet for billions of people. Whoever controls Chrome holds serious power — not just over browsing, but over search, ads, privacy, and AI integration.
That’s why this is such a huge moment. If Google is forced to give up Chrome, it would reshape the internet landscape. And if Perplexity actually gets it? Game changer.
They’ve said they’d keep Chrome free, open-source, and privacy-friendly. That could unlock a new era of innovation and competition — not just in browsers, but in AI-powered tools too.
But Let’s Be Real… Can Perplexity Handle Chrome?
It’s a fair question.
Running Chrome isn’t just about maintaining some codebase. It’s about scaling infrastructure for billions of users, handling security at an elite level, managing privacy concerns, staying ahead in performance, and still supporting legacy web standards.
Perplexity is confident they can do it. They even hinted that they want to keep it open and let other developers iterate on it — not lock it down the way Google has.
But whether they can do it remains to be seen. They’d probably need serious backing — potentially more support from Amazon, or partnerships with other tech firms.
What Perplexity’s Move Really Means
Even if Perplexity doesn’t end up owning Chrome, this move tells us a lot:
- AI companies are ready to play hardball with Big Tech.
- The antitrust crackdown on Google could seriously shake up the status quo.
- Consumers might finally get more choices in the search and browser space — especially if regulators take real action.
And let’s not forget — the public’s awareness of AI, data privacy, and tech monopolies is growing. People are more curious (and skeptical) than ever about what happens behind the scenes in their phones, browsers, and search engines.
So, What’s Next?
All eyes are now on Judge Mehta’s final decision. Will he force Google to break up its empire? Will Chrome get spun off? And if so, will Perplexity really get their hands on it?
Whatever happens, the message is clear: the days of Google having a search stranglehold are numbered. The AI revolution is coming fast, and companies like Perplexity are ready to lead — if the courts and regulators let them.
Final Thoughts
This antitrust case might sound like dry legal stuff, but it’s shaping the future of how we use the internet. Whether you’re team Google, rooting for the underdogs like Perplexity, or just a curious onlooker, it’s worth paying attention.
Because the next time you open Chrome, ask your AI assistant a question, or browse the web — you might just be using tools built by a whole new generation of tech players.
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