Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI said on Tuesday that it has received a legal notice from Amazon, demanding that it block its Comet browser’s AI assistant from shopping on Amazon’s website on behalf of users.
Perplexity rejected Amazon’s claims, accusing the tech giant of using its market power to suppress competition. The company described Amazon’s actions as a “broader threat to user choice and the future of AI assistants,” adding in a blog post: “Bullying is when large corporations use legal threats and intimidation to block innovation and make life worse for people.”
Amazon, in response, said it has repeatedly asked Perplexity to remove Amazon from the Comet experience, citing what it called a “significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience.” The company said that third-party apps making purchases for users should be transparent and respect retailers’ decisions on whether they wish to participate.
The dispute underscores a growing debate over how to regulate AI-powered assistants and their interactions with online platforms.
Perplexity’s Comet browser features an AI agent that can help users complete everyday tasks such as comparing products and making purchases online. The company said user login details are stored locally, not on its servers. “Easier shopping means more transactions and happier customers. But Amazon doesn’t care—they’re more interested in serving ads,” Perplexity said.
Amazon is also developing its own AI tools, including “Buy For Me,” which lets users shop across brands, and “Rufus,” a virtual assistant that recommends products and manages shopping carts.
Perplexity maintains that users should have the right to choose which AI assistant they use, accusing Amazon of trying to protect its advertising-driven business model.