Chrome's Potential Divesture Is Turning These Tech Giants Into Sharks

Contents

How many pieces can Google be broken into? [Video]

Summary

Google was previously deemed an illegal monopolist for anticompetitive practices in the search engine market, specifically paying billions to companies like Apple and Samsung to maintain its default status.
As a potential remedy, the DOJ is pushing for Google to divest its Chrome browser, arguing it’s a crucial gateway to the internet that stifles competition in search.
Several companies, including Yahoo, OpenAI, and Perplexity, have expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if Google is forced to sell it, viewing it as a valuable strategic asset.

Google’s anticompetitive practices over the years have landed the Mountain View, California-based company in hot water.

For reference, back in August last year, the tech giant was deemed to be an illegal monopolist because of its use of anticompetitive practices to maintain dominance over the search engine market. The lawsuit, which was filed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), resulted in the courts finding that Google paid the likes of Apple and Samsung billions of dollars every year to maintain Google Search as their default search engine.

Following the ruling, the DOJ proposed that Google must be broken up to put an end to its Search monopoly, starting with the tech giant divesting its ownership of Google Chrome. According to the DOJ’s Proposed Final Judgment (PFJ), Google must divest Chrome, “which will permanently stop Google’s control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet.”

The DOJ subsequently reaffirmed its stance last month, and now, it is reiterating the same in a three-week-long hearing where remedies are being considered. This isn’t a drill — Google could actually be forced to break up its business — but not before it takes the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court route.

Regardless, if asked to divest, other companies seem ready to splurge, with three main ones already showing public interest.

Yahoo

According to a Bloomberg report, the OG search engine company would bid for Chrome if the opportunity arose. Brian Provost, Yahoo Search’s general manager, was present at Google’s trial in Washington on Thursday, April 24, and testified that Chrome would be worth billions of dollars. Provost described Chrome as “arguably the most important strategic player on the web,” adding that Yahoo would be able to “pursue it with Apollo,” its parent company.

OpenAI

The ChatGPT operator, according to Reuters, is also interested in getting its hands on Chrome if Google is forced to divest — and honestly, why would it not be? The AI giant already has ChatGPT Search, which is now available for anyone to use without an account. ChatGPT Search uses tech from Microsoft’s Bing to fetch results. Pairing that with Google’s API would allow it to ultimately offer a better product.

Perplexity

As highlighted by The Verge, the new kid on the block, Perplexity, is also interested in buying Chrome if Google is forced to divest. Perplexity’s chief business officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, who testified after being subpoenaed, said that his company would be able to do Chrome justice and run it. He said that specifically when questioned whether a company other than Google could maintain Chrome’s quality and accessibility at its current scale.

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