Jeff Bezos’s Amazon has filed a federal lawsuit against Perplexity AI, intensifying the debate over how artificial intelligence interacts with major e-commerce platforms.
The San Francisco–based AI startup, valued at around $20 billion, is accused of violating Amazon’s terms of service by using its AI browser agent, Comet, to make automated purchases on behalf of users.
In its complaint filed Tuesday, Amazon alleged that Perplexity’s AI tool engages in “computer fraud” by disguising its automated activity as that of real human shoppers. According to the tech giant, this “degrades the Amazon shopping experience” and introduces potential privacy and security risks.
Amazon’s Case: Protecting Platform Integrity
Amazon’s lawsuit follows a cease-and-desist letter sent to Perplexity last week, demanding it stop using automated systems to navigate and purchase on the platform.
The company argues that “agentic AI” tools, designed to perform human-like actions such as browsing, researching, or buying, must clearly disclose their automation.
“No different than any other intruder, Perplexity is not allowed to go where it has been expressly told it cannot,” Amazon said in its court filing.
Amazon also claims Perplexity’s Comet browser circumvented its security systems after being blocked, allegedly disguising itself as a Google Chrome browser to continue accessing the platform.
An Amazon spokesperson emphasized that the company supports third-party innovation, but only when it respects platform rules and preserves user experience.
“We welcome services that operate openly and respect our policies,” the spokesperson said. “Perplexity’s agent, however, creates a significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience.”
Perplexity’s Response: “Amazon Is a Bully”
Perplexity AI dismissed the lawsuit as a power move by a dominant competitor.
“This just proves Amazon is a bully,” a Perplexity spokesperson told Bloomberg.
In a blog post, the company defended its technology, arguing that consumers should be free to choose which AI agents assist them with online shopping. The startup accused Amazon of stifling innovation to protect its market dominance.
CEO Aravind Srinivas pushed back, saying:
“Agents should have the same rights and responsibilities as real users.”
Perplexity also pointed out the irony that it is both a major customer of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and counts Amazon founder Jeff Bezos among its investors.
Broader Implications: The Future of AI Agents in Commerce
The lawsuit underscores a larger regulatory and ethical debate surrounding AI agents that perform real-world digital tasks.
Perplexity’s Comet browser, like OpenAI’s and Google’s emerging AI assistants, aims to move beyond traditional chatbots, enabling users to research, email, and shop autonomously.
Meanwhile, Amazon has been building its own AI-powered shopping tools, such as “Buy For Me” and “Rufus,” designed to help customers make smarter purchases within its ecosystem.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has said that AI shopping assistants still lack personalization, but signaled openness to future partnerships with “compliant third-party developers.”
What Happens Next
Legal analysts believe Amazon’s lawsuit could set a precedent for how far AI “agents” can go in mimicking human online behavior without explicit permission.
If Amazon prevails, it could reshape the boundaries of automation in e-commerce, determining whether AI-driven tools can act as independent consumers or must always operate within platform restrictions.
