OpenAI is reportedly considering a move to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, should U.S. antitrust authorities compel Alphabet Inc. to divest it as part of a broader crackdown on the tech giant’s dominance in the online search and advertising markets.
The revelation emerged during the ongoing antitrust proceedings in Washington, where the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking structural remedies to dismantle Google’s grip on digital search. On Tuesday, Nick Turley, OpenAI’s Head of Product for ChatGPT, testified that the company would be open to purchasing Chrome if a forced divestiture became a reality.
The DOJ has accused Google of monopolistic practices that hinder fair competition, citing the tech firm’s stronghold over search and advertising ecosystems. Although Chrome is not currently on the market, Google has indicated plans to appeal the court’s earlier ruling that deemed the company a monopolist in these sectors.
Explaining OpenAI’s interest, Turley revealed that the company had previously approached Google in July 2023, requesting access to its search API due to performance limitations with its existing provider. During the trial, an internal email from OpenAI to Google was presented, stating: “We believe having multiple partners, and in particular Google’s API, would enable us to provide a better product to users.”
Google turned down the proposal in August, citing competitive concerns. “We have no partnership with Google today,” Turley clarified during his testimony. He also emphasised that access to Google’s search data—if mandated by regulators—would significantly enhance ChatGPT’s ability to deliver accurate, real-time responses.
Turley admitted that ChatGPT is still years away from independently handling the majority of user queries, noting that integrating high-quality search capabilities is essential to its future evolution.
The case also delves into how Google’s dominance in search may confer an unfair edge in artificial intelligence. Prosecutors argued that Google could use its AI tools to reinforce its monopoly by channelling users back to its own platforms. In its defence, Google asserted that the case does not centre on AI and highlighted competition from major players like Microsoft and Meta.
Judge Amit Mehta, in a ruling last year, found that Google had used exclusive agreements to preserve its dominance, including deals with companies such as Samsung to make Google Search the default option. Court documents also revealed that the company had once considered exclusive arrangements not just for Search, but also for Chrome and its Gemini AI application.
While Google has recently pivoted toward more flexible agreements with device manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola, as well as U.S. carriers including AT&T and Verizon, the DOJ insists on stricter measures. Among these is a proposed ban on Google paying partners to preinstall its search engine—an approach regulators argue is anti-competitive and reinforces the firm’s market supremacy.