In a bold move that shakes up the browser wars, AI startup Perplexity has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The offer comes as Google faces potential antitrust remedies that could force it to sell Chrome and license search data to rivals, following a US court ruling last year that found it held an illegal monopoly in online search.

Perplexity, valued at $18 billion following a $100 million funding round earlier this year, states that multiple large investment funds will fully finance the deal. The San Francisco-based startup aims to maintain Chrome’s current state, pledging no “stealth modifications” while investing $3 billion over two years in Chrome and Chromium, and retaining a significant portion of Chrome’s talent.

The bid follows Perplexity’s earlier attempts to acquire other high-profile platforms, including a proposal to merge with TikTok’s US operations. The company is also preparing to launch its AI-powered browser, Comet, as tech firms race to build smarter browsing tools.

Google has yet to comment on the offer, while a ruling on potential breakup measures from US District Judge Amit Mehta is expected in the coming days.

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