Perplexity says it could run Chrome, but hopes Google keeps it instead of OpenAI

Perplexity

In an interesting turn during Google’s big antitrust trial, AI startup Perplexity shared its thoughts on who should control the Chrome browser—and surprisingly, it sided with Google.

According to the Verge, on day two of the trial, Perplexity's chief business officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, said the company would be open to buying Chrome if Google is forced to sell it. But he made it clear: they'd prefer Google to keep Chrome rather than see it go to a tech giant like OpenAI.

“If anyone can run Chrome at scale without messing it up or making people pay, we think we can,” Shevelenko said. Still, it’s unclear how Perplexity would afford such a massive purchase.

The concern, according to Shevelenko, isn’t just about competition—it’s about keeping Chrome and its open-source foundation, Chromium, in good hands. He warned that if OpenAI were to take over Chrome, it could change how the browser works and who benefits from it. Interestingly, an OpenAI executive had earlier said the company would be interested in buying Chrome if it became available.

Just in case, Perplexity is working on its own browser. It's called Comet, and it’s being built on Chromium—the same base as Chrome. So even if Chrome changes hands, Perplexity wants to have a backup plan.

Shevelenko did acknowledge that Google makes “strong products” that others often build on. He said they don’t want to see a solution that ruins Google’s ability to innovate. However, he also pointed out the unfair edge Google gets from exclusive deals with mobile carriers.

“There’s definitely a reason to be here today and shout about how evil Google is,” Shevelenko said. “But we want to be reasonable.”

As the trial continues, voices like Perplexity’s are adding layers of complexity to the debate—showing that even Google’s rivals aren’t always rooting against it.