Perplexity AI is embroiled in a proposed class-action lawsuit that accuses the nascent enterprise of covertly sharing sensitive user information with tech behemoths Meta Platforms and Google.
As reported by Bloomberg, the legal challenge contends that the actions of the AI search engine constitute a flagrant violation of California’s stringent privacy regulations.
Perplexity under scrutiny for user data sharing:
The complaint has been initiated by a Utah individual identified solely as John Doe, who aims to represent a wider cohort of Perplexity users.
Allegedly, upon users logging into Perplexity’s interface, trackers silently download to their devices, granting Meta and Google unrestricted access to the dialogues exchanged with Perplexity’s AI system.
Significantly, the lawsuit asserts that users’ personal data is relayed to Meta and Google even when they opt for Perplexity’s “Incognito” mode, which is ostensibly designed to protect user privacy.
The legal filing claims that this backdoor access enables Meta and Google to capitalize on sensitive data for their own interests, including targeted advertising and reselling the data to various third parties.
The complaint further alleges that Perplexity has integrated ‘undetectable’ tracking software into its search engine’s framework, which autonomously transmits user conversations to Meta, Google, and other unidentified entities.
The lawsuit, which has been submitted to a federal court in San Francisco, also accuses Meta and Google of infringing both federal and state privacy and fraud statutes.
The individual involved disclosed highly sensitive information to the chatbot, covering aspects such as familial financial matters, tax liabilities, and personal investment strategies.
Reactions from the companies involved:
In response to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson directed Bloomberg to a Facebook support page that clearly articulates the company’s prohibition against advertisers transmitting sensitive information.
Conversely, Jesse Dwyer, a spokesperson for Perplexity, remarked, “We have not been served any lawsuit that matches this description, so we are unable to verify its existence or claims.”
Perplexity’s legal challenges intensify:
The AI search venture, helmed by Aravind Srinivas, is also contending with a lawsuit from Amazon over its agentic shopping functionality, which employs automation to execute orders on behalf of users.
Amazon alleges that Perplexity clandestinely accessed its customer accounts, masquerading automated actions as human interactions.
Furthermore, Amazon contends that Perplexity’s agents pose potential security vulnerabilities for customer data, given their capability to operate within protected computer systems, including private customer accounts.
Recently, Amazon secured a significant victory in this case, as a federal judge temporarily prohibited Perplexity from accessing Amazon services via its Comet browser.
Source link: Livemint.com.
