Perplexity AI offers US$34.5bil for Google Chrome
The whopping sum proposed in a letter of intent by Perplexity is nearly double the value of the startup, which was reportedly US$18 billion in a recent funding round.
"This proposal is designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy in highest public interest by placing Chrome with a capable, independent operator focused on continuity, openness, and consumer protection," Perplexity chief executive Aravind Srinivas said in the letter, a copy of which was seen by AFP.
Google is awaiting US District Court Judge Amit Mehta's ruling on what "remedies" to impose, following a landmark decision last year that said the tech titan maintained an illegal monopoly in online search.
US government attorneys have called for Google to divest itself of the Chrome browser, contending that artificial intelligence is poised to ramp up the tech giant's dominance as the go-to window into the internet.
Google has urged Mehta to reject the divestment, and his decision is expected by the end of the month.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Perplexity's offer vastly undervalues Chrome and "should not be taken seriously," Baird Equity Research analysts said in a note to investors.
Given that Perplexity already has a browser that competes with Chrome, the San Francisco-based startup could be trying to spark others to bid or "influence the pending decision" in the antitrust case, Baird analysts theorised.
"Either way, we believe Perplexity would view an independent Chrome – or one no longer affiliated with Google – as an advantage as it attempts to take browser share," Baird analysts told investors.
Google contends that the United States has gone way beyond the scope of the suit by recommending a spinoff of Chrome, and holding open the option to force a sale of its Android mobile operating system.
"Forcing the sale of Chrome or banning default agreements wouldn't foster competition," said Cato Institute senior fellow in technology policy Jennifer Huddleston.
"It would hobble innovation, hurt smaller players, and leave users with worse products."
Google attorney John Schmidtlein noted in court that more than 80 per cent of Chrome users are outside the United States, meaning divestiture would have global ramifications.
"Any divested Chrome would be a shadow of the current Chrome," he contended.
"And once we are in that world, I don't see how you can say anybody is better off."
The potential of Chrome being weakened or spun off comes as rivals such as Microsoft, ChatGPT and Perplexity put generative artificial intelligence (AI) to work fetching information from the internet in response to user queries.
Google is among the tech companies investing heavily to be a leader in AI, and is weaving the technology into search and other online offerings.--AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
Insternity Group, Myint Mo Shyan, and MyanLife Partner with KBZ Foundation to Support Mandalay's Post-Earthquake Reconstruction with Modular Building Technology
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 August 2025 - In March of this year, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck the Mandalay region of Myanmar, causing severe casualties and widespread destruction. In response to this emergency, Singapore-based Insternity Group Pte Ltd swiftly partnered with local Myanmar enterprises Myint Mo Shyan and MyanLife to provide immediate relief through modular building technology. This joint initiative, executed in collaboration with the KBZ Foundation, fully demonstrates a firm commitment to social responsibility and long-term community support. Innovative Modular Housing: A Fast, High-Quality Solution for Reconstruction Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan have long been advocates for sustainable and socially impactful architecture. As Myanmar's only one-stop lifestyle platform combining e-commerce with food, travel, and other discount vouchers, MyanLife has a long history of dedication to philanthropy and is committed to enhancing local leisure experiences. Following the disaster, the three parties immediately launched their relief efforts. In Mandalay, the application of modular construction allowed for the rapid deployment of offices and residential units, which played a crucial role in restoring infrastructure and maintaining the continuity of services in the affected areas. In the initial phase, Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan constructed modular offices and dormitories for the KBZ Foundation to ensure uninterrupted operations. MyanLife, leveraging its extensive charitable experience, helped coordinate relief resources and assess community needs, ensuring that reconstruction efforts precisely addressed the actual needs of the affected population. These high-quality units feature durable structures, effective insulation, and ventilation systems, and are designed to be flexible for emergency or transitional needs. Financial Stability Supports Community Recovery The KBZ Foundation's new modular office facilities are now fully operational, with employee dormitories expected to be completed in the coming weeks. This development ensures the continued provision of essential financial services and economic support, highlighting the critical role of modular solutions in disaster resilience and sustainable reconstruction. Working Together to Rebuild Hope Saw Dino Ku, Managing Director of Myint Mo Shyan, said, 'When the earthquake struck Myanmar, I was determined to provide the fastest and most effective response for the victims. The concept of modular buildings, with their potential for significant impact, immediately came to mind. I immediately contacted the CEO of my partner, Insternity, and the MyanLife team to discuss the possibility of collaborating and donating for the earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. We all saw the potential and decided to build and donate a 'modular building' for the KBZ Foundation's disaster response center in Mandalay. Why modular? Compared to traditional timber-framed construction, it offers faster construction time, potentially lower costs, and higher energy efficiency. We believe this unique approach to emergency relief can make a significant difference.' Barbie Tsai, CEO of Insternity Group, stated, 'In the face of tragedy, we must respond not only with speed but also with empathy. Our goal is to rebuild hope through construction—creating not just shelters but foundations for a new future. Together with our partners, we stand proudly with the people of Mandalay.' MyanLife also leveraged its long-standing charitable experience to serve as a community link, helping to integrate relief resources and assess the actual needs of affected communities to ensure that humanitarian aid provides maximum benefit. Later this year, MyanLife plans to launch more charitable initiatives to continue supporting vulnerable groups. Corporate Social Responsibility and a Sustainable Future This cross-national collaboration demonstrates the power of international cooperation and corporate compassion. The joint efforts of Insternity Group, Myint Mo Shyan, MyanLife, and the KBZ Foundation show how socially responsible business practices can play a key role in emergency recovery, community reconstruction, and building long-term resilience. By combining Singapore's expertise in architectural technology, Myanmar's local implementation capabilities, and MyanLife's deep-rooted philanthropic experience, this model of cooperation sets a new benchmark for future disaster response. Innovative Modular Housing: A Fast, High-Quality Solution for Reconstruction Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan have long been advocates for sustainable and socially impactful architecture. As Myanmar's only one-stop lifestyle platform combining e-commerce with food, travel, and other discount vouchers, MyanLife has a long history of dedication to philanthropy and is committed to enhancing local leisure experiences. Following the disaster, the three parties immediately launched their relief efforts. In Mandalay, the application of modular construction allowed for the rapid deployment of offices and residential units, which played a crucial role in restoring infrastructure and maintaining the continuity of services in the affected areas. In the initial phase, Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan constructed modular offices and dormitories for the KBZ Foundation to ensure uninterrupted operations. MyanLife, leveraging its extensive charitable experience, helped coordinate relief resources and assess community needs, ensuring that reconstruction efforts precisely addressed the actual needs of the affected population. These high-quality units feature durable structures, effective insulation, and ventilation systems, and are designed to be flexible for emergency or transitional needs. Financial Stability Supports Community Recovery The KBZ Foundation's new modular office facilities are now fully operational, with employee dormitories expected to be completed in the coming weeks. This development ensures the continued provision of essential financial services and economic support, highlighting the critical role of modular solutions in disaster resilience and sustainable reconstruction. Working Together to Rebuild Hope Saw Dino Ku, Managing Director of Myint Mo Shyan, said, 'When the earthquake struck Myanmar, I was determined to provide the fastest and most effective response for the victims. The concept of modular buildings, with their potential for significant impact, immediately came to mind. I immediately contacted the CEO of my partner, Insternity, and the MyanLife team to discuss the possibility of collaborating and donating for the earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. We all saw the potential and decided to build and donate a 'modular building' for the KBZ Foundation's disaster response center in Mandalay. Why modular? Compared to traditional timber-framed construction, it offers faster construction time, potentially lower costs, and higher energy efficiency. We believe this unique approach to emergency relief can make a significant difference.' Barbie Tsai, CEO of Insternity Group, stated, 'In the face of tragedy, we must respond not only with speed but also with empathy. Our goal is to rebuild hope through construction—creating not just shelters but foundations for a new future. Together with our partners, we stand proudly with the people of Mandalay.' MyanLife also leveraged its long-standing charitable experience to serve as a community link, helping to integrate relief resources and assess the actual needs of affected communities to ensure that humanitarian aid provides maximum benefit. Later this year, MyanLife plans to launch more charitable initiatives to continue supporting vulnerable groups. Corporate Social Responsibility and a Sustainable Future This cross-national collaboration demonstrates the power of international cooperation and corporate compassion. The joint efforts of Insternity Group, Myint Mo Shyan, MyanLife, and the KBZ Foundation show how socially responsible business practices can play a key role in emergency recovery, community reconstruction, and building long-term resilience. By combining Singapore's expertise in architectural technology, Myanmar's local implementation capabilities, and MyanLife's deep-rooted philanthropic experience, this model of cooperation sets a new benchmark for future disaster response.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Agridence Transitions to Founder-Led Governance, Secures Global Investment to Accelerate Multi-Commodity Compliance Platform
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 August 2025 - Agridence Pte. Ltd. ('Agridence'), a Singapore-based technology leader in digital agri-commodity supply chains, today announced a funding round led by Cercano Management and supported by returning strategic investors EXEO Innovation Fund and Provident. This will empower Agridence to rapidly scale its multi-commodity compliance platform to help its customers by tackling industry-wide challenges such as supply chain opacity, sustainability risks, and fragmented smallholder networks. CEO Gerald Tan, who led Agridence's development since its inception in 2018, has invested additional capital to solidify his position as founder and the single largest individual shareholder of the company. This transition from a corporate venture-built startup to a founder owned and led enterprise underscores Tan's commitment to delivering value to Agridence's customers. 'This funding marks a pivotal new chapter for Agridence. We are immensely grateful for the foundational support from our early corporate shareholders; their backing was instrumental during our startup phase and crucial in building the robust platform we have today. Now, as we mature, embracing a founder-led model is key to unlocking greater agility and neutrality. That's why this shift isn't just about capital; it's fundamentally about ownership alignment and direct accountability,' said Gerald Tan, CEO and Founder of Agridence. 'The modular traceability infrastructure we built for natural rubber is now powering compliance for palm oil, cocoa, and beyond, proving these challenges are universal across agri-commodities, and we are now better positioned than ever to solve them.' Why This Matters: Neutrality Meets Regulatory Urgency The shift to an independent, founder-led model provides better alignment and allows Agridence to address a critical industry need for a truly neutral technology platform that serves all stakeholders without corporate bias. 'Southeast Asia is a key source and integral region in the global agri-commodities supply chain. A platform like Agridence that applies technology while working with local stakeholders for a more transparent, sustainable, and responsible sourcing is imperative for the industry. With this additional capital and new model, we see immense potential in Agridence, especially so being independently led by a local founder who has an operating track record within the rubber sector and has a team with deep sector know-how and local knowledge,' said Yu Minjie, Managing Director at Cercano Management. From Niche to Multi-Commodity Expansion Agridence has evolved from its roots in digitizing physical natural rubber trades to delivering a comprehensive, multi-commodity platform for global MNCs and industry associations. Recent milestones include: --> Natural Rubber: The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), whose members represent about 50% of the global market, uses Agridence's reporting platform for annual sustainability data submissions. --> Palm Oil: Agridence powers the RSPO Certification, Trade and Traceability System (prisma), supporting RSPO Certified Palm Oil trades and Sustainable Palm Oil Credits. This initiative went live in February 2025, with nearly 20,000 users expected on the system. --> Coconut: As the technology partner for the Sustainable Coconut Partnership's SCP Links platform, Agridence is simplifying sustainability reporting, digitizing audits, and increasing transparency. --> Cocoa: The company is driving smallholder inclusion through mapping programs across Africa. Interest is also growing in coffee, cashew, sugarcane, and other sectors. The new funding will accelerate Agridence's go-to-market strategy, supporting entry into new commodity verticals and geographic markets through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. 'Our biggest differentiator is our team's deep and diverse agri-commodity background,' Gerald Tan added. 'Trust is everything in this business. By leveraging our relationships, domain expertise, and technology innovations, we deliver proven regulatory and risk frameworks that solve our customers' real pain points. We know the challenges because we've lived them and our partners trust us to solve them.' 'Agridence has proven its capability to scale across multiple commodities and has earned the trust of global corporates, MNCs and industry associations. With momentum building in new commodities and geographies, the company is poised for exciting growth. We are proud to back the Agridence team as they enter this next chapter and deliver measurable impact across global supply chains,' said Lim Swee Yong, CEO of EXEO Innovation Fund Management.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
World Bank Approves US$10 Mln Emergency Aid For Cape Verde
PRAIA, Cape Verde, Aug 14 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved US$10 million in emergency assistance to support Cape Verde's response to heavy rains that have left eight people dead and three others missing, Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva has said, Xinhua reported. In a post on his official social media page Wednesday, Correia e Silva said the aid was activated under a cooperation programme aimed at supporting the government's efforts toward a resilient and equitable economic recovery, with the World Bank authorising an immediate disbursement. He thanked the World Bank Group for its "swift response" to Cape Verde's request and its "strong sense of solidarity" in addressing urgent social and infrastructure needs to protect communities and rebuild with greater resilience.
