Amazon has filed a federal lawsuit against artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI, accusing the company of violating its service policies by using an automated browser tool to make purchases on its platform without authorization.
The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. federal court, claims that Perplexity’s AI-driven shopping assistant, known as Comet, impersonates human shoppers to browse and buy items on Amazon. The company alleges that the tool amounts to computer fraud and undermines customer experience by bypassing built-in security systems.
Amazon insists that Perplexity’s bot, disguised as a legitimate browser, accessed restricted areas of its platform, violating terms designed to protect both sellers and buyers. According to the complaint, this activity “compromises trust and privacy,” while diminishing the quality of Amazon’s online marketplace.
The News Chronicle gathered that the dispute marks a significant test for how AI agents can operate within major e-commerce ecosystems. It also comes at a time when tech giants are racing to integrate artificial intelligence into digital shopping experiences.
Perplexity, a fast-growing San Francisco–based AI firm valued at around $20 billion, has dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt by Amazon to stifle competition. A company spokesperson told Bloomberg that the e-commerce giant is “trying to bully innovation out of existence.” In a follow-up statement, Perplexity argued that consumers deserve the freedom to choose their preferred AI assistants for shopping and research.
Amazon, however, maintains that all automated systems must be transparent and operate within established rules. The company noted that Perplexity’s Comet bot ignored access restrictions and mimicked real users to perform actions that were explicitly prohibited.
Industry observers see this as more than a simple policy breach. The case could set a precedent for how far AI-driven agents can go in handling transactions on behalf of users.
Ironically, Perplexity remains one of Amazon Web Services’ cloud customers — and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is among its investors — a twist that adds intrigue to an already complex corporate battle.
If Amazon prevails, the decision could reshape how AI assistants engage with e-commerce platforms, reinforcing stricter boundaries around automated online activity.
