Perplexity AI has stepped into the antitrust debate surrounding Google’s dominance in the digital search ecosystem, calling for regulators to dismantle what it views as an unfair monopoly that limits consumer choice. The move comes as the U.S. Department of Justice continues its high-profile case against Google, examining the tech giant’s alleged suppression of competition through default search engine settings on mobile devices and browsers.
In a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, Perplexity’s CEO and co-founder Aravind Srinivas revealed that the company has been invited to testify in the ongoing DOJ case. He highlighted the company’s support for greater transparency and fairness in the digital marketplace. A formal statement released by the company titled “Choice is the Remedy” expands on its position, stressing that true innovation can only thrive in an open ecosystem where users are not nudged into using default services without clear, competitive alternatives.
Currently, Google’s Gemini is the default assistant on Android smartphones, while the Google Search engine remains the default option on Chrome—undisputedly the most widely used browser across both smartphones and personal computers. Perplexity argues that these defaults create a lopsided environment that stifles innovation and discourages users from exploring potentially better options.
Perplexity AI, an emerging player in the AI-powered search space, has positioned itself as a viable alternative to traditional search engines, offering users conversational and context-aware answers rather than a list of links. The company believes that by breaking Google’s grip on default search settings, newer and potentially more advanced platforms like theirs can have a fighting chance to compete on merit.
As regulatory bodies in the U.S. and globally intensify scrutiny of Big Tech’s dominance, Perplexity’s call adds a fresh voice from the AI sector, one that echoes growing demands for a fairer internet. The company’s appeal underlines a broader industry consensus: that meaningful choice, not monopolistic defaults, should define the digital experiences of the future.
