The tech world is abuzz as Google’s Chrome browser, a cornerstone of the internet with a two-thirds market share, becomes the hottest asset in play.
In just the past week, OpenAI, Perplexity, and Yahoo have publicly declared their interest in acquiring Chrome, signaling a seismic shift in the industry as Google faces a landmark antitrust trial.
The hearings, which began on April 21, 2025, and will run until May 9, are part of a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) case accusing Google of illegally maintaining a monopoly in online search.
With each day of testimony, the likelihood of a court-ordered sale of Chrome grows, and the implications for Big Tech are profound.
The trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, follows a ruling last year that Google violated antitrust laws through exclusive contracts with companies like Apple and Samsung, securing its search engine as the default on devices and browsers. The DOJ is now pushing for structural remedies, with the divestiture of Chrome at the top of its list.
The browser, which funnels billions of users to Google Search, is seen as a key “fruit” of the company’s monopoly. A final decision is expected this summer, but Google has already vowed to appeal, regardless of the outcome, potentially dragging the legal battle into a years-long ordeal.
OpenAI, Perplexity, and Yahoo are circling Chrome like vultures, each seeing the browser as a golden opportunity to reshape their business.
OpenAI’s head of product, Nick Turley, testified that acquiring Chrome would allow the company to integrate ChatGPT more deeply, creating an “AI-first” browsing experience that could rival traditional search.
Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, expressed similar interest, noting that Chrome would accelerate the adoption of its AI search tools, though he voiced concerns about a rival like OpenAI taking control and potentially harming the open-source Chromium project.
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Yahoo, backed by Apollo Global Management, sees Chrome as a shortcut to reclaiming relevance in search, with General Manager Brian Provost stating that buying Chrome — despite its estimated $50 billion price tag—would be faster than building a browser from scratch.
The stakes of this antitrust case couldn’t be higher. Many journalists and legal experts are calling it one of the most significant events in internet history. If Google is forced to sell Chrome, it would set a precedent that no Big Tech company is safe from asset divestiture.
The ripple effects could redefine competition in search, advertising, and AI, especially as other tech giants like Apple, Amazon, and Meta face their own antitrust lawsuits. The DOJ has warned that without intervention, Google could use its AI products to further entrench its monopoly, a concern echoed by prosecutors who compare this case to historic breakups of AT&T and Standard Oil.
Google, for its part, argues that selling Chrome is “playing with fire,” warning of potential harm to consumers, innovation, and the broader web ecosystem. The company insists its dominance stems from offering the best search technology, not anticompetitive practices, and claims users can easily switch to other search engines.
Yet, the DOJ counters that Google’s control over Chrome and its exclusive distribution deals have stifled competition, leaving rivals like OpenAI and Perplexity struggling to gain traction on platforms like Android.
As the trial progresses, the tech industry braces for a decision that could reshape its future. A forced sale of Chrome would not only disrupt Google’s empire but also signal a new era of accountability for Big Tech. Whether Chrome stays with Google or falls into the hands of a rival, the outcome of this case will echo for years to come, potentially redefining the balance of power in the digital age.
