Perplexity AI Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Privacy Violations

The AI chatbot is accused of sharing users' personal data with tech giants Meta and Google.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:18pm by Ben Kaplan

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A class action lawsuit has been filed against Perplexity AI, alleging that the AI chatbot company integrated 'undetectable' tracking software into its search engine code, automatically sending users' conversations to Meta, Google, and other third parties without consent. This is not the first time Perplexity has faced legal troubles, with previous lawsuits over the use of its AI agent and e-commerce features.

Why it matters

The lawsuit against Perplexity highlights growing concerns over the privacy implications of AI technology, as companies are increasingly accused of collecting and sharing user data without proper authorization. This case adds to a broader pattern of AI companies facing legal challenges over the boundaries of their technology and potential violations of user privacy.

The details

The lawsuit claims Perplexity deliberately disguised its AI agent as a regular Google Chrome browser session and was not transparent about its data usage practices. It also alleges the company violated state and federal computer privacy and fraud laws. Perplexity has denied being served with this lawsuit, but the company has faced other legal issues, including a preliminary injunction preventing it from using its AI agent to access password-protected areas of Amazon's website.

  • Last month, a federal judge in San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction against Perplexity.
  • Amazon also has another lawsuit against Perplexity over its 'Buy with Pro' e-commerce feature.

The players

Perplexity AI

An AI chatbot company that is facing a class action lawsuit over alleged privacy violations.

Meta

A technology company that is accused of receiving user data from Perplexity AI without authorization.

Google

A technology company that is accused of receiving user data from Perplexity AI without authorization.

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What they’re saying

“We have not been served any lawsuit that matches this description, so we are unable to verify its existence or claims.”

— Jesse Dwyer, Chief Communications Officer, Perplexity

What’s next

The lawsuit against Perplexity AI is ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for the AI industry's data privacy practices.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tension between the rapid development of AI technology and the need to protect user privacy. As AI companies continue to push the boundaries of their capabilities, they will likely face increased scrutiny and legal challenges over their data collection and usage practices.