Judge Halts Perplexity AI from Shopping on Amazon
▼ Summary
– A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking Perplexity’s AI agents from placing Amazon orders on a user’s behalf.
– The judge found strong evidence that Perplexity’s Comet browser accessed Amazon user accounts without authorization.
– Amazon sued Perplexity, accusing it of intruding into its marketplace and violating computer fraud laws.
– The injunction requires Perplexity to stop accessing Amazon and destroy any obtained data, with a seven-day window for appeal.
– Amazon states the ruling prevents unauthorized access, while Perplexity says it will fight for users’ right to choose their AI.
A federal judge has moved to stop an artificial intelligence company from using its automated agents to make purchases on Amazon without permission. The ruling represents a significant legal challenge for AI firms developing autonomous tools that interact with commercial websites. US District Judge Maxine Chesney found that Amazon presented compelling evidence showing Perplexity’s Comet browser accessed user accounts without the retail giant’s authorization. This preliminary injunction highlights growing tensions between established online platforms and emerging AI technologies that operate within their digital ecosystems.
Amazon initiated legal action against Perplexity last November, claiming the startup ignored repeated requests to halt its AI agents from buying products for customers. The lawsuit accused Perplexity of intruding into its marketplace and user accounts through the Comet browser’s shopping feature, alleging violations of federal computer fraud statutes. Amazon also contended that Perplexity tried to disguise its automated activities by making the Comet browser appear as Google Chrome to Amazon’s systems, a practice the company argued was intended to conceal the true nature of the access.
The court’s order mandates that Perplexity immediately cease using its AI agents to access Amazon and requires the destruction of any Amazon-sourced data it may have collected. The injunction is set to become active after a seven-day period, a standard allowance providing the defendant time to file an appeal. This legal development occurs amid broader industry debates about the boundaries of AI automation on third-party websites and the responsibilities of developers creating agentic software.
An Amazon spokesperson stated the ruling would prevent unauthorized access to its store, expressing the company’s intent to pursue its case further in court. In response, a Perplexity spokesperson defended the startup’s position, arguing for the right of internet users to select their preferred AI tools. The case underscores the complex regulatory landscape forming around AI capabilities that can autonomously navigate and transact on the web, setting a notable precedent for how existing laws apply to new technological behaviors.
(Source: The Verge)
