Amazon Wins Court Order Blocking Perplexity AI Shopping Agent
A U.S. federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Perplexity AI's Comet browser from making purchases on Amazon on behalf of users. The case centers on whether AI agents can access and transact on third-party platforms without platform consent, even when users authorize the actions. Amazon sued Perplexity, alleging violations of federal and California computer fraud laws and accusing Comet of disguising automated traffic as regular browser use. Amazon cited security issues, repeated technical circumvention by Perplexity, prior warnings, and financial impact related to lost ad revenue and increased security costs. Judge Maxine Chesney determined Amazon provided clear evidence that Perplexity accessed Amazon accounts with user, but not Amazon, authorization—a key legal distinction. The injunction requires Perplexity to cease this activity and delete gathered data, with enforcement delayed for seven days to allow appeal. The outcome may set a precedent on whether platforms can bar AI agents, despite user permission. Amazon has updated its policies to explicitly require AI agents to self-identify. The broader legal question of how the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act applies to AI agents acting for users remains unresolved.
