Perplexity faces class action lawsuit over alleged data sharing with Google and Meta
9 Sources
[1]
Perplexity's "Incognito Mode" is a "sham," lawsuit says
Perplexity's AI search engine encourages users to go deeper with their prompts by engaging in chat sessions that a lawsuit has alleged are often shared in their entirety with Google and Meta without users' knowledge or consent. "This happened to every user regardless of whether or not they signed
[2]
Lawsuit accuses Perplexity of sharing conversations with Meta and Google.
A proposed class action lawsuit claims Perplexity "effectively planted a bug" on users' computers by embedding trackers from Meta and Google inside its AI search engine, as reported earlier by Ars Technica. It also alleges that Perplexity's incognito mode "does nothing" to protect user
[3]
Use Perplexity? Lawsuit Accuses It of Sharing Personal Data With Google and Meta Without Permission
The lawsuit claims that Perplexity incorporated ad trackers such as Facebook Meta Pixel, Google Ads, and Google DoubleClick into its code, which would share information with Meta and Google without consent. AI search engine Perplexity has been hit with a new lawsuit that claims it shared users'
[4]
Perplexity AI Machine Accused of Sharing Data With Meta, Google
Perplexity AI Inc. was accused in a lawsuit of surreptitiously sharing the personal information of its users with Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc.'s Google in violation of California privacy laws. As soon as users log into Perplexity's home page, trackers are downloaded onto their devices,
[5]
Perplexity 'Incognito' chats might not be so private, lawsuit claims
It's early days in this case, but penalties could be steep at $5,000 or more per violation. Perplexity and other tech companies are in hot water for allegedly violating users' privacy. A proposed class action filed by an anonymous Perplexity user this week accuses the AI firm of sharing sensitive
[6]
Perplexity is being sued for allegedly sharing user data with Meta and Google -- here's what we know so far
Perplexity's 'incognito mode' is a sham, lawsuit alleges: Is your private AI data leaking to Google? It's becoming a common headline: another week, another massive lawsuit against an AI giant. But the latest legal battle facing Perplexity AI hits closer to home for anyone who values their
[7]
Perplexity's privacy lawsuit bombshells will make you sweat about using the AI tool
Perplexity, one of the fastest-growing AI search tools right now, is suddenly facing some serious heat. And this time, it's not about accuracy or hallucinations. A fresh lawsuit is raising uncomfortable questions about what actually happens to user data behind the scenes, especially when people
[8]
Is Your AI Chatbot Snitching? A New Lawsuit Alleges This Company Shared Data With Tech Giants
Perplexity isn't just answering your questions, it's spying on you -- at least according to a new class-action lawsuit. Filed in California, the lawsuit alleges that Perplexity collected data from user conversations with the AI-powered browser, then shared it with Meta and Google for advertising
[9]
Perplexity AI Sued Over 'Undetectable' Tracking Technology
Hidden Tracking Claims Put Perplexity AI Under Fire as Users Question How Safe Their Conversations Really Are! A fresh privacy scare has put Perplexity AI in the spotlight. The company is facing a lawsuit that claims it used hidden tracking tools to collect and share user data without permission.
Share
Copy Link
A proposed class action lawsuit accuses Perplexity of embedding ad trackers that share user conversations with Google and Meta without consent. The complaint alleges that even users who activated Incognito Mode had their chats, including personally identifiable information, shared with tech giants for advertising purposes. Damages could exceed $5,000 per violation.
Perplexity Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Privacy Violations
Perplexity's AI search engine is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that accuses the company of sharing user conversations with Google and Meta without consent, even when users believed their chats were private. Filed Tuesday in federal court in San Francisco, the complaint alleges that Perplexity embedded ad trackers including Facebook Meta Pixel, Google Ads, and DoubleClick into its platform, effectively creating what the lawsuit describes as "browser-based wiretap technology"
1
. The anonymous plaintiff, identified as John Doe from Utah, claims he used Perplexity to manage his taxes, seek legal advice, and make investment decisions, only to discover that complete and partial transcripts of these sensitive conversations were allegedly shared with tech giants alongside personally identifiable information4
.
Source: Android Authority
Data Sharing Without Consent Affects All Users
The lawsuit alleges that sharing data without consent occurred regardless of whether users signed up for a Perplexity account, with "enormous volumes of sensitive information from both subscribed and non-subscribed users" being transmitted to third parties
1
. Using developer tools, the complaint found that opening prompts are always shared, as are any follow-up questions the AI search engine suggests that users click on. For non-subscribed users, the privacy concerns appear more severe, with initial prompts shared alongside "a URL through which the entire conversation may be accessed by third parties like Meta and Google"5
. The complaint argues that Perplexity never disclosed to users that it secretly uses tech giants' ad trackers, violating state and federal laws by prioritizing profits over user privacy rights.Incognito Mode Called a "Sham" in Privacy Complaint
Perhaps most troubling, the lawsuit alleges that Perplexity's Incognito Mode does nothing to protect user privacy. "Even paid users who turned on the 'Incognito' feature still had their conversations shared with Meta and Google, along with their email addresses and other identifiers that allowed Meta and Google to personally identify them," the complaint states
2
. This revelation directly contradicts user expectations about what incognito features typically provide. The lawsuit characterizes this as an "extreme invasion" of consumers' privacy rights, noting that chats are shared with PII even when users specifically opt for anonymity3
.
Source: Inc.
Sensitive Data and Targeted Advertising Concerns
The complaint highlights how users frequently turn to AI systems to research health and medical information, particularly when consulting with a human might be embarrassing or upsetting. Perplexity allegedly capitalizes on users' tendency to overshare by training its system to request that users upload sensitive data during chat sessions. For example, when responding to a basic prompt like "What is the best treatment for liver cancer?" Perplexity volunteers that "I can help you interpret a specific scan report, biopsy result, or proposed treatment plan if you share more details"
1
. The lawsuit alleges that Google and Meta exploit this sensitive data for targeted advertising and reselling to additional third parties, potentially resulting in users being bombarded with ads they "may find overwhelming, disturbing, or, in many instances, physically deleterious"1
.Related Stories
Technology Behind the Alleged Privacy Violations
Among the invasive trackers embedded in Perplexity's platform are Facebook Meta Pixel, Google Ads, Google DoubleClick, and possibly Meta's "Conversions API," which Meta allegedly recommends as a "workaround" to prevent "savvy users" from blocking Pixel tracking
1
. The lawsuit notes that Meta has been hit with several privacy lawsuits opposing this technology, with some resulting in settlements. Additionally, the complaint points out that Perplexity doesn't require users to agree to its privacy policy before using the service, and finding that policy at all is difficult as it's not linked from the Perplexity web app5
.
Source: PC Magazine
Potential Damages and Company Responses
The plaintiff seeks damages of up to $5,000 per violation and an injunction to stop Perplexity from engaging further in unauthorized sharing of personal data
3
. Given that the proposed class could include Perplexity users in the US whose chats were shared with Google and Meta between late 2022 and early 2026, total damages could potentially reach millions of dollars5
. A Meta spokesperson pointed to a Facebook help page stating it's against the company's rules for advertisers to send sensitive information, while a Perplexity spokesperson said they "have not been served any lawsuit that matches this description"4
. Google told Ars Technica that "Businesses manage the data they collect and are responsible for informing users about it," adding that by default, data sent to Google Analytics for measurement does not identify individuals3
. Without an injunction blocking Perplexity's allegedly ongoing privacy harms, the plaintiff claims he will be blocked from using his preferred search engine, highlighting the broader tension between user consent, privacy rights, and the rapid adoption of AI tools in everyday life1
.References
Summarized by
Navi
[1]
[3]
[5]
Related Stories
OpenAI lawsuit alleges ChatGPT shared user data with Google and Meta without proper consent
15 May 2026•Policy and Regulation
Reddit Sues Perplexity AI and Data Firms Over Alleged Content Scraping
22 Oct 2025•Policy and Regulation
Perplexity AI Defends Against News Corp's Copyright Lawsuit, Highlighting AI-Media Tensions
23 Oct 2024•Policy and Regulation
Recent Highlights
1
AI Leaders Warn UN Security Council of Existential Risks, Call for Global AI Governance
Policy and Regulation
2
OpenAI AI Agent Breaches Australian Government Healthcare Portal in Historic Hack
Technology
3
Bill Gates Warns AI Could Cause a Billion Deaths, Calls for Urgent Government Regulation
Policy and Regulation
Recent Highlights
Today's Top Stories
Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Follow topics that matter to you and stay ahead.
