According to Engadget, OpenAI’s head of ChatGPT Nick Turley has openly expressed interest in buying the Chrome browser if Google is forced to sell it. This follows a recent court ruling where the US Justice Department accused Google of monopolistic practices in online search. The potential breakup could require Google to sell Chrome and its online ad tech services as part of ongoing legal proceedings in the United States.
What Is Happening With Google?
Google is facing serious legal problems because it has become too powerful in the digital world. Antitrust concerns (laws that prevent companies from becoming too dominant) have led to investigations into how Google controls the internet. A judge named Mehta has already ruled that Google has an illegal monopoly in search, holding 89.2% of the global search market.
The Chrome browser is a major part of Google’s power. It currently holds 65% of all browser users worldwide. Chrome helps Google collect user data which supports its massive $20 billion advertising business. Chrome also influences how websites are built across the internet.
Google’s Market Dominance
- Search market: 89.2% of all internet searches globally
- Browser usage: 65% of all internet users use Chrome
- Ad technology: 50% of publisher ad server market and 40% of ad exchanges
- Revenue: $262.5 billion in digital ad revenue in 2024 (75% of total company income)
What Would OpenAI Do With Chrome?
Nick Turley from OpenAI has suggested that if his company owned Chrome, they would integrate AI features more deeply into the browser. This could change how people interact with the internet by making Chrome smarter and more helpful.
| Current Situation | Potential Future |
|---|---|
| Google controls Chrome, search, and ad tech | Different companies might own these services |
| Google pays $26.3 billion for default search deals | More competition in search options |
| Limited AI integration in browser | OpenAI could add advanced AI features to Chrome |
The Justice Department is targeting Google for practices like paying other companies $26.3 billion in 2021 to be the default search engine on devices. They also question Google’s purchase of companies like DoubleClick which helped them control advertising markets.
This potential breakup could dramatically change how the internet works for everyday users. If OpenAI or other companies buy parts of Google’s business, we might see new competition in search, browsers, and online advertising that could lead to more choices and different ways of experiencing the web.
