Perplexity's Comet browser raises data access and privacy concerns
Perplexity AI's Comet browser allows users to interact with personal data through AI queries and commands, raising concerns about data privacy and access rights. The company is negotiating with smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the browser, which is currently in beta testing on desktop.
What happened
Perplexity AI released Comet, a browser currently in beta testing on desktop that integrates Perplexity AI technology, allowing users to interact with personal data through queries and commands.
The browser can summarize webpage content, arrange meetings for users, and function as a personalized assistant. Perplexity is negotiating with smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Comet on mobile devices.
Reported impact
Critics including Signal's Meredith Whittaker have raised concerns about AI products that grant broad access to users' data without sufficient safeguards, describing such systems as 'surveillance machinery.'
Index analysis
Concerns exist that AI systems with broad data access rights may oversimplify the complex security and privacy issues involved in collecting and storing user information. Industry observers note the risks when AI companies gain access to extensive personal data without clear user consent and control mechanisms.
Governance controls
Some AI companies, including Meta, have been cautious about AI agent products in the search functionality domain to protect user privacy. Signal's Meredith Whittaker has called for AI products to provide timely notification to users about data access and to implement safeguards that require users to explicitly authorize data use.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.