Perplexity wants to buy Chrome if Google has to sell it

Perplexity’s CEO Dmitry Shevelenko testified that his company would be interested in buying Chrome if Google has to sell it, citing a business opportunity.
Shevelenko expressed concerns about testifying in court due to potential retribution from Google, but seized the chance to pitch the idea after being subpoenaed.
If Judge Amit Mehta rules in favor of the Justice Department, he could force Google to spin out its popular web browser Chrome, including the free open-source Chromium browser.
Google argues that this remedy would be problematic, as a new owner might charge for the product or fail to maintain it adequately, causing ripple effects across the browser industry.
Perplexity’s CEO believes his company could successfully run Chrome at scale without compromising quality and charging for it, citing their AI expertise and business model.

Perplexity Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko said he didn’t want to testify in a trial about how to resolve Google’s search monopoly because he feared retribution from Google. But after being subpoenaed to appear in court, he seized the moment to pitch a business opportunity for his AI company: buying Chrome.

If Judge Amit Mehta sees things the way the Justice Department does, he could force Google to spin out its popular web browser – including the free open source Chromium browser that many other web browsers are built on. Google says this remedy is playing with fire, and could result in a new Chromium owner charging for the product or failing to keep it running in an adequate way, causing ripple effects across the browser industry.

But Perplexity would be happy to take on the project, Shevelenko testified. When an attorney asked if Perplexity believes anyone besides Google could run a browser at the scale of Chrome without diminishing its quality or charging for it, Shevelenko responded, “I think we could do it.”

It’s not the first time the AI upstart has put its name in the ring to take over a major technology platform under siege by the US government. The less than …

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Q. Who wants to buy Chrome if Google has to sell it?

A. Perplexity, according to Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer.

Q. Why did Dmitry Shevelenko initially refuse to testify in a trial about resolving Google’s search monopoly?

A. He feared retribution from Google.

Q. What business opportunity did Dmitry Shevelenko pitch after being subpoenaed to appear in court?

A. Buying Chrome and taking over the popular web browser.

Q. How does the Justice Department view the potential spin-out of Google’s Chrome browser?

A. They believe it could result in a new owner charging for the product or failing to keep it running adequately, causing ripple effects across the browser industry.

Q. Does Perplexity think anyone else can run a browser at the scale of Chrome without diminishing its quality or charging for it?

A. According to Dmitry Shevelenko, “I think we could do it.”

Q. What is the Chromium browser that many other web browsers are built on?

A. A free open-source browser developed by Google.

Q. Why does Google oppose the spin-out of its Chrome browser?

A. Because they believe it’s playing with fire and could lead to negative consequences for the browser industry.

Q. Is this not the first time Perplexity has put its name in the ring to take over a major technology platform under siege by the US government?

A. Yes, according to the text.

Q. What is the potential outcome of Google’s Chrome browser being spun out to a new owner?

A. The new owner could charge for the product or fail to keep it running adequately, causing ripple effects across the browser industry.

Q. Who is Dmitry Shevelenko and what is his role at Perplexity?

A. Dmitry Shevelenko is the Chief Business Officer of Perplexity, an AI company.