A recent court decision granted Amazon a preliminary injunction against Perplexity AI. The judge ruled that the startup must stop using its agent Comet to make purchases on the e-commerce giant’s marketplace. The measure is valid while the process is being processed in the federal Justiça of São Francisco, in the Califórnia, in the Estados Unidos. The order was issued on Monday and suspends access to password-protected areas on the Amazon website.
Amazon alleges that Comet accesses user accounts without the company’s authorization, even with customer permission. Perplexity’s AI agent simulates human browsing to search for products, compare prices, and complete transactions automatically. Essa practice would violate federal and state computer access laws, including Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
The injunction requires Perplexity to immediately stop accessing Amazon’s systems with Comet. The startup must also destroy any data obtained from the website during the period of use of the agent. Amazon presented strong evidence that access occurs without its explicit permission, which poses a risk to the security of customer data.
Details of the court decision
Judge Maxine Chesney, from Tribunal Distrital of Estados Unidos in Distrito Norte of Califórnia, granted the preliminary injunction. Ele considered it likely that Amazon would prevail on the merits of the action. The decision highlights that Comet accesses protected accounts with the user’s permission, but without Amazon’s consent.
The order was suspended for seven days to allow Perplexity to appeal. The startup has already indicated that it will appeal and continue defending users’ right to choose AI tools. The process discusses whether autonomous agents can act on platforms without approval from the website owner.
Amazon argues that unauthorized use compromises the shopping experience. Ferramentas and Comet can ignore personalized recommendations and ads from the platform. Isso affects the integrity of the e-commerce ecosystem.
Context of the dispute between companies
The legal action began in November last year. Amazon sent an extrajudicial notice demanding that Perplexity stop using Comet for purchases. The startup did not respond to the request, which led to the filing of a computer fraud lawsuit.
Comet is part of the Perplexity browser and acts as an agentive assistant. Ele performs complex tasks, such as comparing options on different websites and completing orders. The tool gained attention for facilitating automated online purchases.
Amazon develops its own AI solutions for procurement. Ferramentas like Rufus and Buy For Me offer similar assistance within the platform. The company seeks to protect its business model against unauthorized external access.
Risks highlighted by Amazon
The online retail giant highlights potential security vulnerabilities. Agentes third parties may expose sensitive account data, such as payment information and purchase history. Disguising automation as human navigation makes irregular activity difficult to detect.
The injunction reinforces the platforms’ control over access to their systems. Mesmo with the user’s consent, final authorization lies with the service provider. Isso sets early precedent in disputes over AI agents in e-commerce.
Perplexity denies serious violations and claims that Comet operates transparently. The company argues that users should be free to use AI assistants of their choice. The case remains ongoing at the federal Justiça.
Impact on the agentive AI sector
The sector is watching this dispute unfold carefully. Agentes of AI capable of executing transactions represent advancement in digital commerce. However, platforms like Amazon impose restrictions to maintain control over data and revenue.
The temporary decision could influence other AI companies developing similar tools. Startups need to negotiate permissions or adapt agents to respect terms of service. The main process will evaluate whether access with user permission overcomes the platform ban.
The injunction protects Amazon’s infrastructure during litigation. Ambas the parties present arguments about innovation versus security. The end result could set limits for the use of AI in e-commerce.
Amazon maintains that the measure preserves customer confidence. The company emphasizes the importance of a secure environment for online transactions. Perplexity seeks to maintain its innovative approach to using AI.