Latest news with #MelissaAnderson
Roya News
2 days ago
- Business
- Roya News
Google faces pressure from US Justice Department to sell Chrome browser
Google's flagship web browser, Chrome, may not remain under its ownership for much longer. With US courts weighing whether Google must divest the product as part of an antitrust crackdown, potential buyers are already stepping forward with multi-billion-dollar offers. The Department of Justice has argued that Google has maintained illegal monopolies not only in internet search, but also in digital advertising markets. In one of its strongest remedies yet, regulators have asked the court to consider forcing Google to sell off Chrome, which dominates the global browser market. A ruling on the proposal is expected before the end of the month. For Google and its parent company Alphabet, losing Chrome would strike at the core of their business. The browser is both a distribution engine for Google Search and a valuable source of data about user behavior. Analysts at Barclays warned the forced sale could trigger a 'black swan' scenario, wiping out 15 percent to 25 percent of the company's stock value. Google has pushed back, insisting that such a divestiture would harm consumers. In a blog post, the company warned that passing Chrome into other hands could make it 'obsolete' and 'expose billions of people to cyber-attacks.' Still, the line of suitors is growing. an AI-driven search chat platform under digital marketing firm Public Good, has already placed a USD 35 billion bid, backed by JP Morgan and private equity investors. Public Good President Melissa Anderson described Chrome as 'a really just phenomenal way to scale user adoption,' and pledged to use AI responsibly by keeping search free for users. Another challenger, Perplexity, offered USD 34.5 billion, an ambitious move for a startup with a valuation far below that figure. Backed by investors, the company stated that it would continue to support Chromium, the open-source foundation of Chrome, while maintaining Google as the default search engine, chosen by the user. OpenAI, meanwhile, has publicly expressed interest. During testimony in Google's antitrust trial, Nick Turley of ChatGPT acknowledged that the company would 'as would many other parties' pursue Chrome if regulators force Google's hand. CEO Sam Altman also signaled his willingness, saying, 'If Chrome is really going to sell, we should take a look at it.' Even legacy players are circling. Yahoo, owned by Apollo Global Management, has described Chrome as 'arguably the most important strategic player on the web.' Yahoo Search chief Brian Provost told Bloomberg that the company would be eager to explore an acquisition with Apollo's backing.
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Here's why Google might have to sell Chrome, and which companies want to buy it
Chrome is the world's most popular web browser. But how much longer it belongs to Google is an open question. A court last year ruled that Google had violated antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly on internet search. A second ruling in April found Google also monopolized open-web digital ad markets. The Justice Department asked a judge to force Google to divest its premier web browser to remedy the case. A court is expected to rule on that by the end of this month. Chrome, a free web browser developed by Google, is an important distribution tool for Google Search and its other services. It also provides insights into users' search habits and is the most popular web browser on the market. Being forced to sell Chrome would be an undeniable blow to Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Analysts at Barclays said such an action could be a black swan scenario for Google stock, sparking an estimated 15% to 25% decline. Google denies it's a monopoly. It said in a blog post in May that offloading the web browser to another party could render it "obsolete" and "expose billions of people to cyber-attacks." Although the judge has not yet decided Chrome's ultimate fate, competitors are already lining up to gladly take it off Google's hands. an AI search chat platform, confirmed to Business Insider that it made a $35 billion bid for Chrome this week. JP Morgan and several private equity firms backed the bid. is a division of the digital marketing company Public Good, which acquired in July. Public Good President Melissa Anderson and CEO Danny Bibi told Business Insider they reached out to Google on Wednesday. "Given the number of worldwide users Chrome has, it's a really just phenomenal way to scale user adoption," Anderson said. The pair said they're committed to using AI ethically, which means offering its search for free in an effort to make knowledge accessible for all. They also said founded in 1998, already has a network of clients, so finding potential advertisers wouldn't be a heavy lift. Perplexity Perplexity, an AI search startup, made a $34.5 billion bid for the web browser this week. The company launched an AI-native browser, Comet, in July. Although the bid is higher than Perplexity's entire valuation, The Wall Street Journal reported that several investors have agreed to back the potential deal. Perplexity said it would continue supporting Chromium, Google's open-source web browser project that's the foundation of Chrome, as part of the deal, according to the outlet. The outlet reported that Perplexity would continue to keep Google as the default search engine, but users could change that through settings. OpenAI Although OpenAI's ChatGPT turned it into the leading AI startup in Silicon Valley, the company is a tiny fraction of the size of a Big Tech mammoth like Google. Purchasing Chrome, however, would help even the playing field. During Google's antitrust hearing in April, OpenAI's head of ChatGPT testified that the company would be interested in acquiring Chrome if Google were forced to divest. "Yes, we would, as would many other parties," Nick Turley told the court, according to Bloomberg. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also recently said he'd be interested in snapping up Chrome. "If Chrome is really going to sell, we should take a look at it," Altman told a group of journalists on Thursday, according to The Verge. Yahoo Yahoo, a direct competitor of Google, would also be interested in bidding on Chrome, Bloomberg reported. Brian Provost, the general manager for Yahoo Search, said Chrome is "arguably the most important strategic player on the web" during a hearing for Google's antitrust case in April. "We would be able to pursue it with Apollo," Provost said, referring to Yahoo's owner, Apollo Global Management Inc.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Search.com Tops Perplexity Bid with $35B Bid for Chrome
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- has fired the next shot in Silicon Valley's biggest acquisition war, outbidding Perplexity's $34.5 billion Chrome offer with a knockout $35 billion counter-proposal backed by JP Morgan. 'As AI advances at an unprecedented pace, it's essential to make its benefits accessible to all—while steadfastly upholding ethical principles,' said Melissa Anderson, President, Public Good. 'At Public Good, and now with our newly launched gen AI platform, we have consistently championed innovation and fairness, ensuring consumers are always at the heart of progress.' The Stakes: With Chrome commanding 65% of global browser traffic, embedding AI must be equitable and this could determine the future of how 3 billion people access information. The Twist: promises something revolutionary: actual cash back for users, revenue sharing for publishers, and an end to the ad-cluttered web experience that's suffocated the internet for decades. The Clock Is Ticking: With the Department of Justice's antitrust policy poised to force Google's hand, this billion-dollar chess match could reshape the entire internet by Christmas. Game on. About Public LLCPublic Good delivers innovative, equitable AI solutions that empower people, publishers, and brands. Leveraging advanced AI-driven contextual targeting, Public Good enables global advertisers and publishers to engage people in 'moments of motivation' that build consumer engagement, foster loyalty, and drive sales. As a proud member of the family, Public Good is supported by a global team of over 250 professionals across the USA, UK, India, and Dubai, serving many of the world's leading brands and publishers. For more information, contact:Melissa KennedyBob Gold & AssociatesSearch@ 610-635-8427 (text)O. 310-320-2010 x1006Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
Two men extradited, charged over match fixing
Two men are accused of acting as "player agents" and approaching a Queensland football competitor in attempts to fix matches. Queensland Police have extradited the men, aged 55 and 45, from Sydney and charged them after a months-long investigation into attempted sports match fixing at Gold Coast-based football games. Police allege that on May 12 and June 20, two employees of an offshore investment group acted as "player agents" and approached a football player at a Coomera home on the Gold Coast in a "co-ordinated effort" to match fix in exchange for payment. Police are yet to confirm the football code involved. Match fixing is the act of deliberately manipulating the outcome of a sports event for illicit gain, often involving betting or bribery. NSW Police searched homes in Sydney's Mosman and Mount Colah on Tuesday before Queensland Police detectives travelled to NSW to seek the two men's extradition. The men have been charged with one count each of procuring a person to engage in match-fixing pecuniary benefit. It is only the second time a person in Queensland has been charged with match-fixing since the legislation was introduced in 2014. Detective Chief Inspector Melissa Anderson said the charges should serve as a warning to anyone taking part in match-fixing. "Match-fixers attempt to manipulate games to gain a benefit, usually gambling profit, or the overall value of clubs, teams and players," she said. "Match-fixing is serious criminal behaviour that undermines community confidence in the fairness of sport." The men will face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Associated Press
06-08-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Search.Com Revolutionizes AI Chat: Introducing a Game Changing Approach Benefiting Consumers, Publishers and Brands
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- a division of Public Good, is disrupting the AI GPT chat landscape with a groundbreaking model behind its gen AI search platform which includes cash back opportunities for consumers, revenue share for publishers and a clutter-free environment for brands. For consumers, is entirely free to use offering equitable access to knowledge while other platforms charge for usage and premium features. In addition, on users can earn cash back, discounts and offers from premium brands. The subscription membership program goes even further offering 10% cash back on purchases made. This revolutionary model means users no longer pay for AI chat —they earn from it. 'Our cashback approach not only democratizes AI search but also fosters stronger connections between consumers, publishers and brands,' states Melissa Anderson, President, Public Good. Publishers, who traditionally incur costs to integrate search functionality into their websites, will now earn revenue by integrating powerful AI search capabilities. This innovative approach reverses traditional search economics, turning a cost center into a profit center for publishers. In addition, provides attribution and monetization for publisher content versus scraping it without providing value back. 'Publishers have gotten the short end of the stick, and we're here to change that. We are passionate about how our publisher monetization solutions support journalism,' adds Melissa. Brands, in turn, gain unparalleled visibility and engagement opportunities. In a world where consumers are moving to AI chat for advice on life, products and services, empowers brands to meet consumers where they are in contextual 'moments of motivation.' When advertising within AI-driven chat interface, brands secure dedicated consumer attention in a clean, clutter-free environment garnering 100% of their attention. new AI platform is accessible via desktop and mobile on both iOS/Android. To learn more visit About Public LLC Public Good delivers innovative, equitable AI solutions that empower people, publishers, and brands. Leveraging advanced AI-driven contextual targeting, Public Good enables global advertisers and publishers to engage people in 'moments of motivation' that build consumer engagement, foster loyalty, and drive sales. As a proud member of the family, Public Good is supported by a global team of over 250 professionals across the USA, UK, India, and Dubai, serving many of the world's leading brands and publishers. For more information, contact: Melissa Kennedy Bob Gold & Associates C. 610-635-8427 (text) O. 310-320-2010x1006 or [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
