During Google’s antitrust trial, Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko made a daring statement to the court by offering to purchase the Google Chrome browser in case the court requires its sale.
Shevelenko first refused to testify because he feared Google would retaliate, but he seized the opportunity to show how Google’s search dominance prevents new AI competitors from emerging. The complex Android system settings proved challenging for him when attempting to set Perplexity as the default assistant because he needed assistance from his colleague to manage it. Android users have manual control over Perplexity settings, but the system does not activate as smoothly as Google’s voice-operated assistant.
Shevelenko illustrated how phone manufacturers must accept Google’s profitable agreements that enforce strict compliance with their terms. A manufacturer believed to be Motorola showed willingness to include Perplexity on their devices but chose not to set it as default because they feared Google would retaliate financially. Shevelenko testified that the terms imposed by Google create an intense pressure on manufacturers similar to being forced to hold a gun to their head.
Shevelenko presented complex perspectives about how to address the issues he had identified. The sale of Chrome to OpenAI would endanger the open-source Chromium base that underpins numerous modern browsers, according to his assessment. Perplexity would protect Chrome by supporting its development without any unfair monetization or damage to its core principles, according to Shevelenko.
Perplexity shows strong competition desires but does not push for Google’s complete separation from its other units. The company demands equal opportunities for market channel distribution. Shevelenko’s subpoena-ordered testimony revealed the actual market effects of Google’s digital control while indicating that Perplexity and other AI competitors aim to transform the industry.