A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked an AI shopping agent from Perplexity. This agent will not be allowed to access password-protected areas of the Amazon website. This ruling marks one of the first significant legal decisions regarding AI-driven “agentic commerce.”
The decision was made in San Francisco by Judge Maxine Chesney of the U.S. District Court. She granted Amazon a preliminary injunction to stop Perplexity’s AI agent, which is part of its Comet browser, from shopping on Amazon for users.
This case sheds light on the rising tension between retailers and AI platforms regarding access control when AI agents try to browse, compare, and purchase products online.
Judge Finds Likely Violation of Computer Fraud Laws
Judge Chesney ruled that Amazon is likely to win its claims against Perplexity. The judge stated that Perplexity violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and a California computer fraud law.
She made a clear distinction between user authorization and platform authorization. The Comet browser accessed accounts with the customer’s permission, but the judge concluded that it did so without Amazon’s authorization.
The court ordered Perplexity to stop letting its AI agent access Amazon’s protected areas during the case.
Dispute Centers on AI-Driven Shopping
This legal battle is an early challenge for agentic commerce, a quickly developing idea where AI assistants act for users while browsing websites, comparing prices, and completing purchases.
Perplexity’s Comet browser has an AI agent built to do these tasks automatically, which could change how consumers use online marketplaces.
Amazon argued in its lawsuit that Perplexity’s software disguised its AI agent as a regular Google Chrome session. This allowed it to evade detection systems meant to restrict automated access.
Amazon also said it warned Perplexity several times starting in late 2024 to stop this practice. Court filings state that Amazon blocked access in August 2025, but Perplexity allegedly released an update within a day to bypass the block.
Amazon Says Ruling Protects Customers
Amazon supported the court’s decision, saying the injunction helps keep its marketplace and customers safe.
A spokesperson said the ruling prevents unauthorized access to Amazon’s store while the case moves forward in the legal system.
The company believes that restricting automated access is crucial to maintain the integrity of its platform and ensure a reliable shopping experience.
Perplexity Argues Lawsuit Targets Competition
Perplexity has defended its technology in court, arguing that Amazon’s lawsuit is driven by competition rather than security concerns.
The company claims that AI shopping agents can avoid many ads shown to human shoppers, which could hurt Amazon’s advertising income.
Perplexity insists that consumers should have the freedom to choose which AI tools to use for online shopping. Earlier statements from the startup described the lawsuit as an attempt to limit competition in the growing AI-driven commerce sector.
Amazon Developing Its Own AI Shopping Tools
Amazon has been heavily investing in AI shopping features. The company has launched tools like Rufus, an AI shopping assistant that helps customers find products, and Buy For Me, a feature that can place orders for users.
Andy Jassy, Amazon’s CEO, has said that AI agents could ultimately help online retail by making shopping easier and increasing sales. However, he pointed out that current systems still struggle with personalization and pricing accuracy.
Injunction Paused for Seven Days
The court’s injunction will take effect after a seven-day pause, allowing Perplexity to ask the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to temporarily block the order while it appeals.
Perplexity also requested the court to require Amazon to post a $1 billion bond, citing its market value and investments in the Comet browser. The judge denied this request, stating that the injunction does not threaten the company’s overall business.
Though the ruling stops Comet’s AI agent from accessing Amazon, the browser and AI assistant can still operate on other websites.
Early Test Case for AI Agent Regulation
This dispute could become an important case in setting legal limits for AI agents operating online.
As AI assistants gain the ability to act independently for users-handling tasks like online shopping, booking travel, or managing accounts-courts and regulators will need to clarify how existing laws apply to these technologies.
The outcome of the Amazon-Perplexity case may shape how retailers, tech companies, and regulators approach the future of agentic commerce and AI-powered digital assistants.
