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REGULATORY WATCH BRIEF Low 39 🔨 Court Ruling decided

Ninth Circuit rules Perplexity AI’s Comet browser not liable under CFAA

The ruling limits CFAA liability for AI‑driven web tools, clarifying that developers are not criminally responsible for user‑initiated access.

ADTP Regulatory Watch · August 4, 2026
ImpactLow 39
Type🔨 Court Ruling
Statusdecided case outcome
JurisdictionUS

What happened

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Perplexity AI’s Comet browser does not violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act because the tool itself does not access Amazon’s servers; users do. The court rejected Amazon’s claim that Perplexity was unauthorized to access user accounts. The decision notes that agentic AI presents novel legal issues but the assistant is considered a tool, not a person, for statutory purposes.

Why it matters for trust and compliance

  • Its status is decided. The case has an outcome that others may cite.
  • The ruling limits CFAA liability for AI‑driven web tools, clarifying that developers are not criminally responsible for user‑initiated access.

Who is affected

technology developer platform Perplexity AI Amazon

Recommended actions

  1. Confirm access, correction, deletion and opt-out requests are handled within the required time.
  2. Map the security requirements to existing controls and close gaps.
  3. Inventory AI or automated decision systems in scope and their assessments.