The tech world is buzzing! As Google’s major antitrust case unfolds in a US court, one of the most dramatic potential outcomes being discussed is forcing the tech giant to sell off its dominant web browser, Google Chrome. While Chrome isn’t officially on the market yet, the mere possibility has some surprising potential buyers expressing keen interest – especially heavy hitters in the AI space, and even a familiar name from the web’s past.
Why All the Fuss About Chrome?
Last year, a US judge ruled that Google illegally maintained its monopoly in the online search market. Now, in the current phase of the trial (April 2025) focused on remedies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for significant changes. One of the most talked-about proposals? Forcing Google to divest Chrome.
Why would companies want Chrome? Simple: unparalleled reach. Chrome boasts a massive global user base (over 60% market share). For AI companies like OpenAI (the creators of ChatGPT) and Perplexity AI, acquiring Chrome would be a game-changer.
Imagine ChatGPT or Perplexity’s AI search replacing Google Search as the default engine within Chrome. Both companies have testified they’d be interested. OpenAI’s Head of Product, Nick Turley, confirmed their interest in court, seeing it as a way to integrate their AI and diversify. Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, confidently stated, “I think we could do it,” suggesting they could run Chrome effectively.
Adding another twist, Yahoo, backed by investment firm Apollo Global Management, has also thrown its hat in the ring. Yahoo executive Brian Provost testified that acquiring Chrome (which they estimate could cost tens of billions) could significantly boost their search market share and revitalize their search offerings.
Hold Your Horses: Chrome Isn’t Sold Yet
Before we imagine a ChatGPT-powered Chrome, let’s hit the brakes. Google is vehemently fighting the idea of selling Chrome.
- Lengthy Legal Battle: Google is certain to appeal any court decision forcing a sale. This legal fight could drag on for years.
- Deep Integration: Google argues Chrome isn’t just a standalone product. Chrome’s General Manager, Parisa Tabriz, testified recently that the browser is deeply intertwined with Google’s infrastructure, relying on shared systems for vital features like Safe Browse and password breach alerts after 17 years of development. She stated, “Trying to disentangle that is unprecedented,” and questioned if it could even be recreated elsewhere.
- It’s Not Just Chrome: The browser relies heavily on the open-source Chromium project. Google currently dominates Chromium’s development, contributing over 90% of the code and investing hundreds of millions annually. If Google is forced to sell Chrome, its incentive to pour resources into Chromium could evaporate. This wouldn’t just affect a potential new Chrome owner; other popular browsers like Microsoft Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, and Arc also rely heavily on Chromium. Who would pick up the slack?
The Ripple Effects: ChromeOS and Beyond
Selling Chrome creates other massive headaches:
- What about Chromebooks? ChromeOS, the operating system on millions of Chromebooks (especially popular in schools), is fundamentally built around the Chrome browser. If Google loses control of Chrome, the entire ChromeOS ecosystem faces an uncertain future.
- Can AI Companies Really Run a Browser? OpenAI and Perplexity are AI powerhouses, but they have zero experience managing a global browser infrastructure, its complex development, security needs, and the vast Chromium project underpinning it. Yahoo has history, but managing Chrome today is a different beast entirely.
- Antitrust Irony: Could Microsoft buy Chrome? They certainly have the resources and rely on Chromium for Edge. However, given Microsoft’s own history with antitrust cases involving Internet Explorer, regulators would likely block such a move.
The Bottom Line
The Google antitrust case is far from over, and the future of Chrome remains highly uncertain. While AI companies and Yahoo see a massive opportunity, the practical, technical, and legal hurdles to separating Chrome from Google are immense. Google argues it’s the only one equipped to run Chrome effectively due to deep integrations and its commitment to Chromium.
Whether the court will order a sale, and whether any of the interested parties could realistically take over, are multi-billion dollar questions. One thing is clear: the outcome of this battle could fundamentally reshape how we browse the web. Stay tuned!
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