Perplexity AI has been hit with a proposed class-action lawsuit in a San Francisco federal court, accusing the AI search startup of surreptitiously sharing sensitive user conversations with Meta Platforms and Google.
The complaint, filed on March 31, 2026, alleges that Perplexity embeds “undetectable” tracking software in its code that automatically transmits user data to third-party tech giants—even when users are operating in the platform’s “Incognito” mode.
1. The Allegations: “Backdoor” Data Harvesting
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Utah man, identified as John Doe, who claims he shared highly sensitive personal information with the chatbot, including:
- Family financial records and tax obligations.
- Personal investment strategies and portfolio details.
- Private health inquiries.
The filing alleges that as soon as a user logs into Perplexity’s home page, trackers are downloaded onto their device. These trackers reportedly give Meta and Google full access to the subsequent conversations, which the lawsuit claims are used for targeted advertising and data reselling.
2. Legal Claims & The “Incognito” Dispute
The lawsuit (case Doe v. Perplexity AI Inc., 3:26-cv-02803) accuses Perplexity, Meta, and Google of violating several laws:
- California Privacy Laws: For unauthorized sharing of personal data.
- Federal Computer Privacy and Fraud Laws: For the alleged use of “undetectable” tracking software.
- Deceptive Practices: The complaint specifically highlights that Perplexity’s “Incognito” mode offers a false sense of security while the underlying trackers continue to function.
3. Corporate Responses
The companies involved have issued initial statements, largely denying or distancing themselves from the claims:
| Company | Official Stance |
| Perplexity AI | A spokesperson stated they have not yet been served with a lawsuit matching this description and could not verify the claims. |
| Meta | Pointed to their existing policies which explicitly prohibit advertisers from sending sensitive personal information to the company. |
| Had not officially responded to the filing as of Wednesday afternoon. |
4. Perplexity’s Growing Legal Battles
This privacy lawsuit adds to a mounting pile of legal challenges for the Aravind Srinivas-led company in 2026:
- Amazon “Agent” Lawsuit: Amazon recently won a temporary injunction against Perplexity, accusing its “Comet” browser of covertly accessing customer accounts by disguising automated activity as human browsing.
- Copyright War: In late 2025 and early 2026, Encyclopedia Britannica, Merriam-Webster, and News Corp (Wall Street Journal) filed separate lawsuits accusing the startup of “massive freeriding” on copyrighted content.
5. What This Means for Users
If you use Perplexity for sensitive tasks, privacy advocates suggest taking the following precautions until the court clarifies the tracking allegations:
- Avoid Personal Data: Do not enter real names, financial figures, or specific health details into the prompt box.
- Clear Trackers: Regularly clear your browser cookies and cache, as the lawsuit alleges trackers are “installed” upon login.
- Check Settings: Review Perplexity’s “Data Retention” settings (though the lawsuit argues these may be circumvented by the third-party trackers).
