The Digital Press

AI-powered browsers like Perplexity’s Comet automate online shopping by navigating sites like Amazon on users’ behalf, but this practice has sparked legal conflict. Amazon has sued Perplexity for unauthorized access, highlighting tensions between AI innovation and control over digital commerce experiences.

Why it matters: AI agents acting as autonomous shoppers challenge traditional e-commerce models and company control over user interactions.

The stakes: Amazon’s lawsuit frames AI browsing as unauthorized access, risking legal and business repercussions for AI developers.

The big picture: This conflict reflects a broader industry struggle over how AI tools integrate with existing platforms and who controls user interfaces.

Commenters say: Readers debate AI’s potential to improve shopping convenience versus concerns about privacy, security, and corporate control over digital commerce.