【AI + Privacy】Perplexity AI accused of violating privacy laws by sharing user personal data with Meta and Google

External news reports say that AI startup Perplexity AI has been hit with a class-action lawsuit filed by users, alleging that it secretly shared users’ personal information from conversations with the platform with Meta and Google, which are part of Alphabet, and that it may have violated California privacy laws.

According to a proposed class-action complaint filed with the U.S. Federal Court in San Francisco on Tuesday (the 31st), once users log in to Perplexity’s homepage, their device automatically downloads a tracker, allowing Meta and Google to gain full access to the content of conversations between users and the Perplexity AI search engine. The complaint says that these trackers are embedded in the search-engine code, are difficult to detect, and automatically transmit the conversations to Meta, Google, and other third parties.

The plaintiffs claim that this enables the two tech giants to use such sensitive data for their own benefit, including placing targeted ads for individuals and selling the data to more third parties. Even if users choose the platform’s incognito mode, their personal data would still be shared.

Meta and Google are also listed as defendants

The lawsuit was brought by a man from Utah, who uses the pseudonym John Doe. He said he had disclosed sensitive information to the Perplexity chatbot, including household finances, tax liabilities, investment portfolios, and investment strategies, and that he is seeking to represent all Perplexity users in bringing a class-action lawsuit. The complaint also lists Meta and Google as defendants, alleging that the two companies violated federal and state computer privacy and fraud laws.

Perplexity spokesperson Jesse Dwyer said that the company has not yet received any lawsuit documents matching the description above, and therefore cannot verify whether such a case exists or whether the related allegations are true. A Meta spokesperson said that advertisers’ actions of sending sensitive data to the company violate its policies. Google has not yet responded to the request for comment.

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