"Amazon has provided strong evidence that Perplexity, through its Comet browser, accesses with the Amazon user's permission but without authorization by Amazon, the user's password-protected account. The preliminary injunction will prevent Perplexity's unauthorized access to the Amazon store and is an important step in maintaining a trusted shopping experience for Amazon customers."
"The ruling, dated Monday, is a temporary order in place while both sides argue the legality of using tools designed by one company - more commonly called shopping bots - to make purchases from another company's website without that company's assent."
"The clash highlights how courts are being asked to establish guardrails for so-called AI agents that are beginning to handle more complex tasks online for users, including shopping. Widespread adoption of those tools could disrupt the $350 billion digital advertising market in the US."
A federal judge issued a temporary injunction prohibiting Perplexity AI from using its Comet web browser agent to make purchases on Amazon's marketplace. Amazon filed the lawsuit in November, alleging computer fraud because Perplexity failed to disclose when Comet was shopping on behalf of users and refused to stop when requested. Judge Maxine Chesney found strong evidence that Perplexity accessed password-protected Amazon accounts with user permission but without Amazon's authorization. The order requires Perplexity to stop accessing Amazon's systems and destroy copies of Amazon data. The ruling remains suspended for one week to allow Perplexity to appeal. This case establishes important legal precedent for AI agents handling complex online tasks.
Read at The Mercury News
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