OpenAI is considering the possibility of acquiring the Chrome browser if Google is mandated to sell it due to antitrust violations, as shared by ChatGPT product lead Nick Turley during a court hearing. This development comes in light of the ongoing legal proceedings regarding Google’s alleged anticompetitive search practices. The U.S. Department of Justice has called for the divestment of Chrome following a successful antitrust lawsuit against Google, which concluded that the company holds an illegal monopoly over search engines.
The judge overseeing the case is currently evaluating the remedies that will be imposed on Google as a result of these findings. Turley mentioned that OpenAI has been affected by Google’s dominance in search, explaining that efforts to obtain access to Google’s search data for their SearchGPT application were rebuffed by Google last year. In addition to potentially selling Chrome, the court may also mandate that Google allow competing companies access to its search data.
Turley emphasized that this data access would enable OpenAI to enhance its products more efficiently. Additionally, Google may face restrictions on entering search-related agreements with companies like Apple. For years, Google has paid Apple substantial sums annually to maintain its status as the default search engine for Safari, which provides it with a considerable edge in the search market.
There are also recommendations for Google to divest Android, but this would only occur if other remedies fail to prevent the company from exploiting its operating system improperly. In his testimony, Turley noted that OpenAI had offered Apple a share of revenue from the ChatGPT-Siri integration; however, it remains unclear whether Apple accepted the offer. Previous reports indicate a lack of financial exchange in this arrangement.