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I have been hunting contracts for over ten years. From starting at the now-defunct deals site Thrifter to covering hundreds of deals on Windows Central, my job is a constant effort to make sure you don’t get ripped off.
And I’m usually the first to call.”AI slop” and warn you about the risks of automation. So you might be surprised to find me advocating an AI tool that could technically threaten my livelihood.
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“Permission” trap
The legal drama centers on a simple premise: Amazon claims that Perplexity’s AI agents did not have “authorization” to access customer accounts. At first glance, this sounds like a win for security. We don’t want rogue bots accessing our accounts and draining our bank balance.
Except it didn’t.
Users gave Comet permission. Users he wanted “No Permission” bot to make purchases does not come from the account holder; It comes from Amazon.
The court didn’t just side with Amazon; it directed Perplexity to “destroy all copies of Amazon data, including customer data.” This statement should make your skin crawl. Since when your customer data only “Amazon data”?
I’m not a lawyer, but you don’t have to be to see the hypocrisy. Amazon is more than happy to allow automation to buy products if that automation is called for Alexa. They are not against automated purchasing; they are opposed to any automation they don’t own and don’t make money from.
I know 40% off won’t fix a laptop with thermal regulation issues or a low screen. Our team provides context. We let you know if a deal is actually a dud.
What about power users and enthusiasts? They’ve done their research, they know the exact features they want, and they know the price to pay. They should be able to use a tool that marks a price drop and makes a purchase immediately.
Confusion makes it clear that a last blog post:
“Amazon wants to take away user rights so it can sell more ads now and partner with artificial intelligence agents designed to take advantage of users later. It’s not only abusive, it’s hurtful.”
Amazon’s business model increasingly forces you to scroll through rows of “Featured” junk before you find the item you’re looking for. An AI agent like Comet bypasses ads and “Suggested for You” elements.
Bottom line
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has claimed that the company expects to eventually partner with third-party agents. But their actions in court tell a different story. By using the “Buy” button, Amazon ensures that the only AI you’re allowed to shop with is programmed to maximize Amazon’s margins, not your savings.
If I have to choose between a bot that does what I say and a retail giant that considers access to my personal account its personal intellectual property, I side with the bot every time.
🗨️ Should AI be allowed to shop for you?
Should you have the right to give your “keys” to an AI agent if it saves you money, or is Amazon right to keep third-party bots out of your account for “security” reasons? I want to hear if you trust AI to shop for you. Let’s chat in the comments!
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