Key Takeaways:
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- Amazon filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI to stop its browser agent Comet from buying products on Amazon’s marketplace.
- Amazon alleges computer fraud and breach of terms of service, claiming Comet disguises itself as a human shopper.
- The case could set legal precedents defining how “agentic AI” systems interact with online platforms.
- Perplexity argues Amazon is stifling competition to protect its own AI shopping tools and ad revenue.
What Happened?
Amazon sued Perplexity AI in federal court in San Francisco, accusing the startup of violating its terms of service by allowing its AI browser agent, Comet, to make purchases on Amazon without disclosure. The complaint alleges Perplexity’s bots impersonated real users and bypassed security blocks, amounting to computer fraud. Amazon had previously issued a cease-and-desist letter, warning that Comet degraded the shopping experience and introduced privacy risks. Perplexity, valued at around $20 billion, denies wrongdoing and claims Amazon is acting as a monopolist trying to eliminate third-party AI agents.
Why It Matters?
The lawsuit marks one of the first major tests of how far autonomous AI agents can act on behalf of users in commercial settings. Amazon’s challenge aims to protect control over its platform and its high-margin advertising business, which could be undermined if AI agents bypass product search and ad placement. For startups like Perplexity, the case highlights the tension between AI innovation and platform governance. The dispute also exposes the growing competition among big tech players and AI startups over who controls the next generation of digital shopping interfaces.
What’s Next?
The outcome could redefine the legal boundaries for agentic AI behavior online, particularly regarding automation, user consent, and transparency. If courts side with Amazon, stricter disclosure and API-based frameworks for AI agents may become the norm. If Perplexity prevails, it could open the door for more autonomous AI systems to interact directly with major e-commerce and service platforms. Both companies are expected to continue public sparring as Amazon develops its own AI agents (Rufus, Buy For Me), while Perplexity pushes for user-controlled autonomy.
