‘Will not get bullied’: Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas responds to Amazon’s legal notice over use of Comet AI
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas reacted after the AI startup received a legal notice from Amazon seeking to ban users of its AI-powered web browser Comet from using AI assistants on the e-commerce and tech giant’s platform.
While Srinivas expressed Perplexity’s desire to work with Amazon and achieve a “win-win” situation for both, he emphasized that the move to block Comet harmed its users.
In a post on social media platform
What’s the deal between Amazon and Perplexity?
On November 4, Perplexity reported in a blog post that the company had received a “legal threat” from Amazon.
Describing the notice as a threat to internet users, the post said: “This week Perplexity received an aggressive legal threat from Amazon demanding that we ban Comet users from using AI assistants on Amazon. This is Amazon’s first legal salvo against an AI company and is a threat to all internet users.”
Is Perplexity a threat to Comet users?
According to Perplexity, Amazon aims to prevent users from leveraging its own AI assistants to shop on its platform. Perplexity said the goal is to prevent scenarios where, for example, you ask your Comet Assistant to find and buy a product on Amazon.
If you’re logged into Amazon and your credentials are not securely stored on Perplexity’s servers, Comet Assistant can quickly find and purchase the item for you, saving you time.
Alternatively, you can ask him to compare various options and choose the one that best suits your needs. The AI startup noted that this streamlined experience was popular among Comet users.
Perplexity also claimed: “Amazon now wants to take away user rights so they can sell more ads and then partner with AI intermediaries designed to take advantage of users. This isn’t just bullying, it’s insane.”
What is Perplexity’s stance?
Claiming that it was not intimidated by Amazon’s legal notice, the artificial intelligence startup said, “The rise of agentive AI offers an option.” Astonishment is fighting for the rights of users. People love our products because they are designed for people. User choice and freedom is at the heart of everything we build.”
Perplexity also claimed: “Perhaps that’s what makes us a target for corporate bullies. But Amazon shouldn’t forget what it’s like to be our size and passionate about a product that will change the world. They, too, once faced frightening threats and fought aggressively in every case to give users a better option.”
