AI startup perplexity proposed Google Buy a browser Chrome for $34.5 billion, reports cnbc with reference to the source. The amount is higher than the current startup estimate, but several investors agreed to help with the financing of the deal.

In july perplexity was estimated at $18 billion after an additional investment round. The company is developing an AI search system that provides simple answers with references to primary sources, including for verification of facts. In the same month, the startup introduced its own AI-based browser — Comet.

The offer was made after US Department of Justice urged Google to sell Chrome as part of an antitrust claim. The court ruled that the corporation was holding an illegal monopoly in the Internet search market.

Google in response called the actions of the Ministry of Justice ‘a radical interventionist agenda’ and described the requirement to sell Chrome as ‘excessive’.

The Chrome browser launched in 2008 provides data collection for targeted ads. According to the Ministry of Justice, the sale of Chrome will create equal conditions for competitors in the search market.

“Selling Chrome will stop Google’s control over this search key point forever and give competitors the opportunity to use a browser that is the main Internet gateway for many users,” the agency said.