In a surprising twist during Google’s ongoing antitrust trial, OpenAI has revealed that it would be interested in buying Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, if Google is forced to sell it.
This major statement came from OpenAI’s Head of Product, Nick Turley, while testifying in court on April 22. It adds a new layer to the legal battle between Google and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which is aiming to break up what it sees as Google’s monopoly in online search.
Google Chrome is more than just a browser. It is the main door to the internet for most people. With over 50% market share in the U.S., it is a key tool that drives traffic to Google Search. By setting Google as the default search engine, Chrome helps Google maintain its dominance in online search and advertising.
The DOJ argues that this unfairly blocks competition. This makes it hard for smaller search engines to grow. That is why the government is pushing for strong remedies, including possibly forcing Google to spin off Chrome into a separate company.
Turley’s statement about buying Chrome shows how serious OpenAI is about expanding its reach. He said that OpenAI had even asked Google last year for access to its search API to help improve ChatGPT’s answers, especially for real-time information. Google said no.
Since then, ChatGPT has continued using Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, but OpenAI believes access to Google’s tools would create a “better product” for users.
OpenAI is clearly thinking big. Owning Chrome would give the company direct control over how users access information online and a strong platform to promote ChatGPT and other AI tools.
However, this also raises new concerns. If OpenAI gets Chrome, it could create a different kind of monopoly, just with AI instead of search. Regulators would likely keep a close eye on that, too.
The roots of this case go back to August 2024, when U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had illegally maintained its monopoly by signing exclusive deals with phone makers like Samsung, Motorola, and carriers like AT&T and Verizon. These deals made Google Search the default on millions of new devices.
The court also saw documents showing Google had considered bundling not only Search, but also its Gemini AI and Chrome in exclusive deals. That raised red flags for the DOJ.
Recently, Google said it has started allowing more freedom for device makers to include rival apps and search engines. But the government wants stronger action, including a ban on Google paying companies to install its apps.
The trial is now in the remedies phase, where the judge will decide what Google must do to fix its monopoly. A decision is expected by August 2025. If Google is ordered to sell Chrome, and OpenAI moves forward to buy it, the digital world could be in for a major shakeup.
Search, browsers, and AI are all tightly connected. A shift in who controls what could change how billions of people use the internet — and who controls the data behind it.
For now, Chrome is still part of Google. But with mounting pressure from the government and interest from OpenAI, its future might not be as locked in as it once seemed.
