Perplexity AI accused of sharing user conversations with Meta and Google
A US class action lawsuit alleges that Perplexity AI embedded hidden tracking systems like Meta Pixel and Google Ads in its code to share user conversations with Meta and Google without consent, including data collected in incognito mode and before users interact with the service.
What happened
A class action lawsuit filed in the United States accuses Perplexity AI of sharing user conversations with Meta and Google through hidden tracking systems.
According to the complaint, Perplexity integrated Meta Pixel and Google Ads tools into its code to collect and transfer user data without explicit knowledge or consent.
The lawsuit alleges that tracking begins upon site entry and occurs even in incognito mode and before users interact with the service.
Reported impact
Users' sensitive information such as health data, personal interests, and situation details may be shared through the hidden trackers.
Personal identifiers including email addresses are reportedly transferred without user awareness.
Perplexity allegedly benefits from targeted advertising, user behavior analysis, and service optimization through the shared data.
Index analysis
Perplexity operates as a conversational AI system where users may disclose sensitive information in natural language dialogue, unlike traditional search engines.
The complaint highlights that incognito mode, which users associate with privacy protection, did not prevent tracking or data sharing.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.