Why Amazon really doesn't want Perplexity's AI browser shopping for you

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Amazon has threatened legal action against AI startup Perplexity.
• Perplexity called the move "a threat to all internet users." 
• The fight could impact the future of AI-powered shopping.

The battle over the future of AI-powered shopping has begun.

Amazon sent Perplexity a cease-and-desist letter on Friday, demanding that the AI start-up immediately block its agentic Comet browser from making purchases on behalf of users in the Amazon Store. 

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Addressed to Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas, the letter claims the company has ignored multiple warnings about its Comet browser violating Amazon's conditions of use by not identifying itself as an AI agent, and that the company's "ongoing illegal intrusion into the Amazon Store ...