Group 1 - Amazon has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity, accusing it of computer fraud for allowing its AI shopping agent, Comet, to shop on behalf of users without clear disclosure, violating Amazon's terms of service [2] - Perplexity responded by claiming that Amazon is using its competitive products to suppress smaller rivals and that users should have the right to choose their preferred AI shopping agents [2] - The launch of NavFoM, a navigation foundation model by Galaxy General in collaboration with several universities, supports both indoor and outdoor scenarios and can adapt to various robotic platforms [2] Group 2 - SoftBank and OpenAI have established a joint venture named "SB OAI Japan" to exclusively promote Crystal Intelligence in Japan, with plans for an IPO in 2026 [2] - The founder of Yushu Technology, Wang Xingxing, stated that the current development stage of embodied robots is similar to the first 1-3 years before the release of ChatGPT, emphasizing the importance of large models in robotics [2]

Core Insights - Snap's stock surged 25% after announcing a partnership with Perplexity to integrate its AI-powered answer engine into Snapchat, with Perplexity paying Snap $400 million over one year [1][2] - The integration aims to enhance user experience for Snapchat's nearly 1 billion monthly active users by providing a new way to ask questions and explore topics [2][3] - Snap reported a 10% increase in revenue to $1.51 billion in Q3, driven by improved advertising demand, and anticipates Q4 sales between $1.68 billion and $1.71 billion [4][5] Partnership Details - Perplexity will appear in Snapchat's Chat interface starting in early 2026, allowing users to receive conversational answers from credible sources [2][3] - The partnership is seen as a step towards making Snapchat a platform for leading AI companies to connect with its global community [3] User Growth and Financial Performance - Snapchat added 34 million daily active users in Q3, reaching a total of 477 million [4] - The company reported narrowed net losses and expressed confidence in long-term growth due to its focus on performance and creativity [5]

Core Perspective - Amazon has issued a cease and desist letter to Perplexity, demanding that it stop allowing users to create AI agents for purchasing items on Amazon's platform, indicating a struggle for control over the e-commerce experience [2][3][4]. Group 1: Amazon's Position - Amazon's legal action reflects its concern over losing control of the purchasing process, emphasizing that it wants customers to buy products in a manner that aligns with its business model [4][6]. - The company argues that the use of AI agents without proper identification violates federal and state computer fraud and abuse laws, as it constitutes an "intrusion" into its e-commerce operations [4][11]. - Amazon has invested billions to create a curated shopping experience that relies on various factors, including customer history and product reviews, which it believes is essential for maintaining customer trust [11]. Group 2: Perplexity's Perspective - Perplexity views the use of AI agents as a natural evolution in technology, arguing that it enhances the shopping experience by making transactions easier and more efficient [6][9]. - The company contends that its AI agents act as user agents, operating under the same permissions as the user and not needing to identify themselves as agents, which is a key point of contention with Amazon [9][10]. - Perplexity's concern is that if its agents are required to identify themselves, Amazon could impose restrictions or alter pricing strategies, undermining the user experience [10]. Group 3: Broader Implications - This legal dispute represents a significant test case for the role of autonomous AI agents in commerce, raising questions about ownership, rights, and responsibilities associated with AI-driven transactions [12]. - The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI in e-commerce and the foundational principles of an AI-driven web [13].

The social-media company announced a deal to integrate Perplexity's AI-powered answer engine directly into Snapchat. ...

Dispute Overview - Amazon accuses Perplexity of masking its website activity, alleging automated agents are disguised as regular Google Chrome users [1][2] - Amazon raises concerns about account integrity and responsibility for returns [2] - Perplexity counters, accusing Amazon of bullying and defending its approach as no different from a user navigating with a mouse and keyboard [3][4] Core Issue - The central conflict revolves around control over the customer experience in the age of AI agents [2][6] - Debates are emerging about the definition of a browser and the ownership of online experiences when AI agents are involved [6] Potential Outcomes - The industry anticipates a potential settlement to avoid a public court battle and discovery process [6][7] - The case is viewed as the first of many debates regarding the role of AI agents on the internet and their impact on user experience [6] Amazon's Perspective - Amazon views Perplexity's actions as a potential threat, prompting a defensive response [5] - Amazon is closely monitoring the evolving landscape of AI and its impact on its business [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Amazon is accusing Perplexity of masking its identity on Amazon's website, raising concerns about account integrity and customer experience [1][2] Group 1: Amazon's Concerns - Amazon claims that Perplexity's automated agent mimics a regular Google Chrome user, which could compromise account integrity [2] - The company is worried about the implications for customer service, particularly in scenarios like product returns [2] - This situation is described as a turf war over customer experience in the retail sector [2] Group 2: Perplexity's Response - Perplexity accuses Amazon of bullying and argues that there is no significant difference between their automated service and a user navigating the site manually [3] - They emphasize that users have authorized Perplexity to interact with Amazon on their behalf, similar to traditional browsing [4] Group 3: Industry Implications - The ongoing debate highlights the evolving nature of web browsing and the role of AI in shaping customer interactions [6] - This case may set a precedent for future negotiations and disputes between companies regarding ownership of the customer experience [6] - There is a general sentiment that both companies would prefer to reach an agreement rather than engage in a lengthy court battle [7]

Amazon and Perplexity are clashing in court over agentic commerce. The e-tail, technology and logistics giant filed a lawsuit against technology player Perplexity on Tuesday, alleging that the company illegally accessed Amazon’s platform and its users’ accounts to complete transactions on behalf of consumers. More from Sourcing Journal That, Amazon said, caused it harm because it was denied control over consumers’ experiences with its platform and risked consumers’ data ending up in bad actors’ hands. Acc ...

Core Viewpoint - Amazon has issued a "cease and desist" letter to AI startup Perplexity, claiming its AI shopping assistant Comet violates Amazon's terms of service, posing a threat to Amazon's digital advertising revenue [1][2] Group 1: Legal Dispute - Amazon has requested Perplexity to remove its brand from the Comet experience due to a "significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience" [2] - Perplexity has labeled Amazon's actions as an "aggressive legal threat" and a "first legal salvo against an AI company," indicating broader implications for internet users [2][4] Group 2: Financial Impact - Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy expressed optimism about AI shopping agents, suggesting they could increase online shopping, which is beneficial for Amazon's business model [3] - In Q3 2025, Amazon generated $17.7 billion from digital advertising, marking a 24% increase from the same quarter the previous year, outpacing growth in its e-commerce and AWS segments [3] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The conflict highlights the tension between traditional e-commerce practices and emerging AI technologies, with Amazon prioritizing its advertising revenue over potential competition from AI shopping agents [4]

Core Points - Amazon has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity, demanding the cessation of its AI shopping bot, Comet, which is accused of degrading the shopping experience and violating terms of service [2][4] - Perplexity claims that Amazon is employing "bully tactics" to deter innovation in shopping technology, asserting that Comet is designed to enhance user experience [3][4] - Amazon is developing its own AI shopping agents and argues that Perplexity's bot is making errors in personalized recommendations and delivery times [2][4] Company Actions - Amazon's legal action against Perplexity sets the stage for a potential lawsuit if Comet continues its operations [2] - The company emphasizes that Perplexity's bot is not transparent in its shopping practices and is gaining unauthorized access to Amazon's platform [4] Industry Context - Perplexity is valued at approximately $20 billion and is part of a growing sector focused on AI agents that assist with online tasks [4] - Other tech companies, such as OpenAI, are also entering the AI shopping space, with new capabilities expected in major web browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge [6]

Core Viewpoint - The legal dispute between Perplexity and Amazon highlights tensions in the evolving landscape of AI-assisted online shopping, with Perplexity asserting its right to operate without Amazon's imposed restrictions [1][2][3]. Group 1: Legal Dispute - Amazon issued a legal threat to Perplexity, demanding that it block users from deploying AI assistants on its platform, marking Amazon's first legal action against an AI company [2]. - Perplexity responded by stating that its AI operates under human direction and does not need to identify itself as an agent, arguing that Amazon's demands are unreasonable and a form of intimidation [2][3]. - The e-commerce giant contends that third-party agents should clearly identify themselves when making purchases on behalf of customers, suggesting that Perplexity could comply with such transparency [3][4]. Group 2: Perplexity's Position - Perplexity characterized Amazon's actions as a threat to all internet users and accused the company of using bully tactics against disruptive innovation [3]. - The startup emphasized that agentic shopping represents a natural evolution in the industry and expressed its determination not to be intimidated by Amazon's legal threats [3][4]. Group 3: Background and Controversies - This legal conflict is part of a series of controversies surrounding Perplexity, including accusations of using undeclared crawlers to bypass website restrictions [4]. - CEO Aravind Srinivas has previously warned against the misuse of AI tools, particularly after a viral incident involving Perplexity's browser completing a Coursera assignment rapidly [5]. - Perplexity has also made headlines for its unsolicited $34.5 billion cash bid to acquire Google's Chrome browser, indicating its ambition in the tech sector [5].