US judge orders Perplexity to halt Comet AI agent shopping on Amazon and delete collected Amazon data
The Facts
- US District Judge Maxine Chesney (Northern District of California) granted Amazon a preliminary injunction against Perplexity related to Perplexity’s Comet browser-based AI shopping agent.
- The injunction blocks Perplexity from using Comet’s AI agent to access password-protected areas of Amazon and to make purchases on Amazon on users’ behalf while the case proceeds.
- The court order requires Perplexity to destroy/delete Amazon data it obtained through the Comet agent’s activity.
- Judge Chesney wrote that Amazon provided “strong evidence” that Perplexity’s Comet browser accessed Amazon users’ password-protected accounts with the users’ permission but without authorization from Amazon.
- Amazon sued Perplexity in November, alleging unauthorized activity by Perplexity’s AI agents on Amazon’s platform.
- The injunction’s enforcement/effect was stayed for roughly one week to allow Perplexity time to appeal.
Context
What exactly did the judge order Perplexity to stop doing?
The preliminary injunction bars Perplexity from using its Comet browser’s AI agent to access password-protected parts of Amazon and to place orders on Amazon on users’ behalf during the litigation. CNBC engadget PCMag UK
Why did Amazon seek the injunction?
Amazon alleged that Perplexity’s Comet AI agents interacted with Amazon’s systems without Amazon’s authorization, including accessing users’ accounts; the judge said Amazon presented “strong evidence” supporting that claim. CNBC Verge Court House News Se…
Does the order take effect immediately, and what happens next?
The court stayed the injunction for about a week to give Perplexity time to seek an appeal; the order is preliminary and applies while the case continues. Crypto Briefing Bloomberg Business PYMNTS.com
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