The AI web browser wars just got real. Amazon is threatening legal action against Perplexity to stop its Comet AI browser from autonomously purchasing products on Amazon's behalf of users. The dispute marks the first major corporate standoff over AI agents that can shop independently, with billions in e-commerce revenue at stake as both companies fight for control over the future of online shopping.
Amazon just threw down the gauntlet in what could become the defining battle for AI-powered commerce. The e-commerce giant has issued what Perplexity describes as 'aggressive legal threats' demanding the AI startup immediately stop allowing its Comet browser to make purchases on users' behalf.
The confrontation centers on Perplexity's autonomous shopping agent, which can browse multiple websites including Amazon, compare prices, and complete purchases without human intervention. It's the kind of frictionless shopping experience that should theoretically drive more sales - exactly what Amazon wants. But there's a catch: Comet bypasses Amazon's carefully crafted ecosystem of ads, sponsored listings, and upsell opportunities that generate billions in revenue.
'Amazon should love this. Easier shopping means more transactions and happier customers,' Perplexity fired back in a scathing blog post. 'But Amazon doesn't care. They're more interested in serving you ads, sponsored results, and influencing your purchasing decisions with upsells and confusing offers.'
The timing couldn't be more ironic. Just last week, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told investors during an earnings call that the company expects to 'partner with third-party agents' over time. But Perplexity's spokesperson Jesse Dwyer sees right through that corporate speak. 'This is like if you went to a store and the store only allowed you to hire a personal shopper who worked for the store,' Dwyer told The Verge. 'That's not a personal shopper - that's a sales associate.'
For its part, Amazon's statement strikes a more measured tone, claiming third-party applications should 'respect service provider decisions whether or not to participate' and arguing that Comet provides a 'significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience.' Translation: we can't control the user experience or monetize it properly.
