Perplexity, the AI search platform, has introduced that each the US Division of Justice and Google have requested it to supply testimony within the DOJ’s ongoing antitrust lawsuit in opposition to Google.
The case highlights how Google’s search companies are default-installed on units via agreements with carriers and producers, sidelining opponents. As an illustration, Google pays a considerable quantity to Apple to make sure that Google is the default search supplier on Apple units.
The DOJ can be proposing that Google promote its Chrome browser. This goals to finish the net search monopoly, based on the decide’s findings. The DOJ attorneys additionally deem Chrome to be a ‘important gateway’ to Google’s search companies; subsequently, it ought to stay a separate entity.
This probably means that if Chrome have been to develop into an impartial entity, it may additionally embrace different search companies as defaults.
In a press release, Perplexity mentioned that the perfect treatment could be to permit individuals to decide on a search product for themselves, as an alternative of breaking apart Google by suggesting it promote Chrome.
“Customers deserve the perfect merchandise, not simply those that pay essentially the most for placement. That is the one treatment that ensures shopper alternative can decide the winners,” mentioned Perplexity.
“And for OEMs and carriers: you shouldn’t have to select a aspect,” added Perplexity. The corporate additionally advocates for a ‘wholesome ecosystem’ the place customers can select each Chrome and, say, Perplexity in the identical area.
CEO Aravind Srinivas took to LinkedIn to precise his views on the matter. “Google shouldn’t be damaged up. Chrome ought to stay inside and proceed to be run by Google,” he mentioned.
He additionally talked about that the corporate deserves quite a lot of credit score for open-sourcing the Chromium browser engine, which powers Chrome, together with different browsers like Microsoft Edge and Perplexity’s upcoming Comet.
“OEMs really feel threatened about any modifications right here even outdoors the defaults, due to the magnitude of income sharing supplied to them by Google to protect the established order even when higher alternate options can be found,” he added, whereas additionally indicating that Perplexity’s AI assistant is superior to Google’s Gemini.
That mentioned, Google additionally not too long ago launched a press release, responding to DOJ’s findings. The corporate says that DOJ’s proposals would make it arduous for customers to entry Google companies.
“Individuals use Google as a result of they wish to, not as a result of they should. DOJ’s proposal would power browsers and telephones to default to look companies like Microsoft’s Bing, making it tougher so that you can entry Google,” mentioned Google.
Concerning the separation of Chrome, the corporate said that it might introduce cybersecurity and nationwide safety dangers, as it might disconnect the browser from the corporate’s technical infrastructure.
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