Introduction
Amazon has sent a formal cease and desist letter to Perplexity, demanding the AI startup stop using its agentic browser Comet to make automated purchases on the e-commerce platform. The controversy represents a new chapter in the battle between established tech giants and emerging AI companies, raising crucial questions about user autonomy, platform control, and the future of AI-assisted online shopping.
The Context of the Dispute
According to Bloomberg's report, Amazon accuses Perplexity of violating its terms of service and committing computer fraud by failing to disclose when artificial intelligence makes purchases on behalf of users. The issue isn't new: Amazon reportedly requested Perplexity stop using its AI agents on the platform a year ago, and the company initially complied. However, with Comet's launch, the situation changed dramatically.
In conducted tests, the Comet browser was able to autonomously complete an Amazon purchase in about 30 seconds, using default payment methods and addresses without requiring manual login or payment information entry. The experience proves extremely smooth and functional, but raises questions about transparency and informed consent.
Amazon's Position
Amazon maintains that third-party applications offering to make purchases on behalf of customers should operate transparently and respect service providers' decisions. The company states it has repeatedly requested Perplexity remove Amazon from the Comet experience, citing a significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience.
The e-commerce giant may be concerned that users prefer third-party tools over its own AI assistants, like the "Help Me Decide" feature launched last month. Additionally, Perplexity's experience doesn't require users to directly visit Amazon's website, potentially devaluing the platform and limiting opportunities for browsing and additional purchases, while reducing exposure to advertising and sponsored content.
Perplexity's Response
Perplexity published a strongly worded statement calling Amazon's move an "aggressive legal threat," accusing the tech giant of bullying behavior and using litigation to stifle innovation. According to the startup, Amazon should appreciate technology that makes shopping easier, leading to more transactions and happier customers.
"Amazon should love this. Easier shopping means more transactions and happier customers. But Amazon doesn't care. They're more interested in serving you ads, sponsored results, and influencing your purchasing decisions with upsells and confusing offers."
Perplexity AI
The startup claims Amazon is trying to "make life worse" for users and argues the e-commerce giant shouldn't forget what it's like to be their size and passionate about a world-changing product.
Implications for the Future of AI Shopping
This clash highlights broader tensions in the tech ecosystem regarding control over user experience and data access. Agentic browsers represent nascent technology with known issues, and even companies like OpenAI have acknowledged the challenges associated with these autonomous systems.
The controversy raises fundamental questions: who should control the online shopping experience? Do platforms have the right to prevent third-party tools that automate actions for users? How to balance innovation and consumer protection in an era of increasingly autonomous artificial intelligence?
Conclusion
The clash between Amazon and Perplexity represents much more than a simple commercial dispute: it's an indicator of future battles that will define the landscape of artificial intelligence applied to e-commerce. While Amazon defends control over its platform and customer experience, Perplexity promotes a vision of more accessible and user-centric AI-assisted shopping. The outcome of this controversy could establish important precedents for the entire industry, influencing how agentic AI technologies integrate with existing platforms and what level of autonomy will be permitted for third-party tools in mediating online commercial interactions.
FAQ
What is Comet and how does it work for Amazon shopping?
Comet is an agentic browser developed by Perplexity that uses artificial intelligence to make autonomous purchases on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, completing transactions in about 30 seconds using default payment information and addresses without requiring manual intervention.
Why did Amazon send a cease and desist to Perplexity?
Amazon accuses Perplexity of violating terms of service and committing computer fraud by not disclosing when AI makes purchases for users, requesting the removal of Amazon from the Comet experience to protect shopping experience and customer service.
Do AI shopping agents violate user privacy?
AI agents access sensitive information like payment methods and addresses, raising transparency and informed consent issues, even though they operate with user-authorized credentials.
What are the risks of agentic browsers for e-commerce?
Agentic browsers can compromise transaction security, reduce transparency about purchasing decisions, and limit platforms' control over user experience and revenue opportunities through advertising and sponsored content.
How does Perplexity respond to Amazon's accusations?
Perplexity calls Amazon's actions bullying and anti-innovative, claiming the technology improves shopping experience and accusing Amazon of prioritizing advertising and upselling over user convenience.
What impact will this controversy have on the future of AI agents?
The dispute could establish legal precedents about who controls the online shopping experience and what autonomy is allowed for third-party AI tools, influencing future development of agentic technologies in e-commerce.