Amazon Targets Perplexity Over AI Shopping Integration
Perplexity AI openly accused Amazon of corporate intimidation after the company was told to stop using their Comet AI browser. The big online store told Perplexity to stop letting people buy things from Amazon directly through its AI-powered shopping assistant.
Perplexity says that Amazon’s attorneys said that Comet got into store data and user accounts without permission. The letter, which was sent on October 31, said that the company may be charged with computer fraud if it kept doing business the way it was.
Source: Logos-world
Perplexity Defends Its AI Shopping Experience
Perplexity defended Comet by saying that it was an innovative helper that made shopping on Amazon easier for customers. The business added that customers could tell Comet to search and buy things on its own, which they said was a very popular function.
Perplexity said that Amazon’s objection stifles innovation and limits customer choice by prohibiting AI products that make things easier. They said that Amazon cared more about making money from ads and upselling than making buying easier and more open.
Amazon Warns Against Unauthorized Access by AI Agents
Amazon’s lawyers said that Perplexity didn’t have permission to utilize AI algorithms to access its platform on behalf of users. The business said again that AI agents that are hidden or camouflaged break the terms of service, privacy rules, and consumer protection regulations.
Amazon has lately made it harder for third-party AI crawlers, such as those made by OpenAI, Google, and Meta, to get into its systems. The company says that all automated programs must get permission before they can access its systems or talk to clients directly.
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Amazon Claims AI Tools Harm User Experience
Amazon said that Perplexity’s AI assistants make the user experience worse by giving wrong suggestions and incorrect delivery predictions. It noted that automated product lists would not be very diverse, could confuse customers, and could not take into account customization data that is important for making buying easier.
The business said that its own algorithms do a better job of optimizing discovery, price, and satisfaction than AI agents from other companies could. So, it told Perplexity to take Amazon integrations out of Comet to avoid misunderstanding and keep service quality high.
Perplexity Calls Amazon’s Actions Anti-Competitive
Perplexity responded by calling Amazon’s position anti-competitive and meant to stifle third-party AI innovation in e-commerce. They said that Comet makes transactions faster and easier for online shoppers all across the world, which promotes engagement and possible purchases.
Their statement said that Amazon was using advertising incentives to trick customers into clicking on sponsored products, which led to higher prices and lower exposure. Perplexity said that by restricting AI agents, Amazon limits open competition and slows down technical advancement that would help regular buyers.
Amazon Develops Its Own Shopping AI Tools
It’s funny that Amazon is adding to its own AI ecosystem while blocking outside agents from accessing its platform. Earlier this year, the business released Rufus, a chatbot that talks to people and suggests things while also addressing their inquiries.
Amazon added “Buy For Me” in April. This AI function lets consumers make purchases across platforms without leaving the app. These actions demonstrate that Amazon wants to dominate its digital environment by using its own automation instead of letting other companies’ automation work with its own.
Perplexity Plans Global Expansion Despite Legal Tensions
Even though they are under a lot of legal pressure, Perplexity is still working on making Comet a full digital assistant for people all around the world. The browser uses generative AI to make ordinary online tasks easier by combining search, organizing, communication, and purchasing.
Comet was released in July and provided free to everyone in October. It has quickly become popular among those who want to be more productive. Perplexity said that even if they are still facing legal problems, they would put ethical AI design and openness first to keep users’ confidence.
