Perplexity AI faces lawsuit over alleged user data tracking

Filed in a federal court in San Francisco, the lawsuit has been brought forward by an individual identified as John Doe, who aims to represent a broader class of affected users. The complaint alleges violations of both federal and California privacy laws, raising concerns about how AI-driven platforms handle user data.

Allegations of Hidden Tracking and Data Misuse

According to the filing, users who accessed Perplexity’s platform may have unknowingly downloaded tracking software onto their devices. These trackers allegedly enabled third parties, including Meta and Google, to access conversations between users and the AI system.

The lawsuit further claims that this data-sharing occurred regardless of privacy settings, including when users activated Incognito mode. It alleges that such access could allow third parties to leverage sensitive user information for targeted advertising or other commercial purposes, potentially extending to data resale.

The plaintiff reportedly shared highly confidential information with the platform,…