DOJ wants Google to sell Chrome to boost competition
Chrome could be worth $50 billion if forced to sell.
The ongoing US antitrust case against Google has intensified speculation over the future of its Chrome browser, with DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg estimating its potential value at around $50 billion.
His remark, made during court testimony, far exceeds previous estimates and underscores how pivotal Chrome has become in the broader search and advertising ecosystem.
Weinberg, who leads one of Google’s search rivals, admitted that DuckDuckGo could not afford such a purchase, but would still be interested if money were no object.
Other major players, including OpenAI and Perplexity, have also expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if a court ruling mandates its divestment.
The Department of Justice and several states are pushing for such measures after Judge Amit Mehta found that Google illegally maintained a search monopoly through restrictive default agreements.
Executives from OpenAI and Perplexity testified that owning or partnering with Chrome would enable tighter integration of AI and search, reducing their dependence on Microsoft’s Bing.
OpenAI even approached Google for access to its search API last year but was rejected. As the US trial continues, the fate of Chrome hangs in the balance, with a forced sale likely to reshape the search and AI landscape dramatically.
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