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Amazon sues AI startup over browser's automated shopping and buying feature
The Guardianยท 2025-11-05 16:17
Core Argument - Amazon has filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI, accusing the startup of unauthorized access to customer accounts and misrepresenting automated activities as human browsing [1][3][4] Group 1: Legal Allegations - Amazon claims that Perplexity's Comet browser and its AI agent have covertly accessed private customer accounts, posing security risks and degrading the shopping experience [3][4] - The lawsuit states that Perplexity ignored multiple requests to cease its activities, which Amazon describes as unlawful [1][3] - Amazon emphasizes that third-party applications should operate transparently and respect the company's decisions regarding participation in its platform [4] Group 2: Perplexity's Response - Perplexity has rejected Amazon's claims, arguing that the lawsuit represents a broader threat to user choice and innovation in AI assistants [2][5] - The startup asserts that user credentials are stored locally and not on its servers, defending its right to provide AI assistance for shopping [7] - Perplexity argues that easier shopping leads to more transactions and customer satisfaction, suggesting that Amazon's actions are motivated by a desire to protect its advertising revenue rather than customer interests [7] Group 3: Industry Context - The conflict highlights a growing debate over the regulation of AI agents and their interactions with e-commerce platforms [2] - Both Amazon and Perplexity are developing AI tools aimed at enhancing online shopping experiences, indicating a competitive landscape in the AI-driven e-commerce sector [6]