OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, could step in as a potential buyer if Chrome were ever put up for sale by court order. This possibility came to light during a recent hearing about Google’s dominance in the search market, where Nick Turley, OpenAI’s Head of Product, spoke openly about the idea.
Turley took the stand last Tuesday (22nd) as one of the witnesses in the case. Bloomberg asked whether OpenAI would consider purchasing the popular web browser, and he confirmed the company’s interest, adding that several other tech giants would likely compete for the opportunity.
ChatGPT introduced a real-time web browsing feature in October of last year and already offers a Chrome extension. However, Turley suggested that deeper integration with a major browser like Chrome could create a “fantastic experience” for users, allowing OpenAI to showcase better what a truly AI-driven internet experience could look like.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that a Google attorney presented an internal email during the hearing, where Turley had described ChatGPT as the leading chatbot in the market, noting that he didn’t view Google as its main rival. Turley explained that the email was meant to motivate OpenAI’s team and that stronger distribution deals—like the recent partnership with Apple to integrate ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence—could still greatly benefit the company.
Why does Google have to sell Chrome?
A U.S. court ruled in August last year that Google engaged in illegal monopoly practices within the search market. The decision, handed down by Judge Amit Mehta, followed a lengthy trial that featured testimony from top executives at Apple and Microsoft.
The investigation found that Google had financial deals with computer and smartphone makers—such as Samsung—to make its search engine the default option on new devices. This practice was deemed a violation of antitrust laws.
Now, a new phase of the case kicked off on Monday (21st), focusing on the consequences Google might face.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for tough penalties, including forcing Google to sell Chrome and ending its exclusive payment deals with hardware companies. Conversely, Google is arguing for less drastic solutions, like scaling back those agreements rather than eliminating them altogether.
Google has also warned that selling Chrome or Android could seriously harm both platforms and weaken the United States’ ability to compete with China in tech.
