Amazon Investigates Perplexity AI for Content Scraping Shenanigans
Amazon is currently reviewing allegations that the artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has been scraping content from websites without proper authorization. These allegations were brought to light following an investigation by WIRED, which claimed that Perplexity had accessed and used content from sites that explicitly prohibited such actions. This scrutiny has prompted Amazon, whose servers under Amazon Web Services (AWS) host Perplexity, to take a closer look at the situation.
Samantha Mayowa, an Amazon spokesperson, confirmed on Friday that the tech giant is assessing the information received from WIRED. Mayowa emphasized that Amazon’s terms of service strictly prohibit abusive and illegal activities, and it is the responsibility of AWS customers to comply with these terms. The review aims to ensure that Perplexity’s activities are in line with Amazon’s policies.
Perplexity AI, a San Francisco-based AI search startup, has seen significant investment from prominent tech figures, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Despite its initial success, the company has faced increasing scrutiny over the past few weeks. Allegations of plagiarism and content scraping have cast a shadow over its achievements. In response to these accusations, Perplexity’s spokesperson, Sara Platnick, stated that the company had conducted an internal review and found that its services do not violate AWS terms of service.
One of the main points of contention arose when Perplexity published a summarized news story that closely resembled a Forbes investigative article. The story was published without proper attribution or permission from Forbes. This incident led to further investigation, revealing other instances where Perplexity had allegedly used content from various publications without proper citation. Forbes described these as “knock-off” stories, asserting that their original content had been improperly replicated.
Adding fuel to the fire, The Associated Press discovered that another Perplexity product had fabricated quotes attributed to real individuals. Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas, in an interview with the AP, defended the company, stating that it did not rip off content from others and that its AI engine does not train on proprietary content. According to Srinivas, Perplexity merely aggregates outputs from other companies’ AI systems. He acknowledged Forbes’ criticisms about the need for more prominent source attribution and assured that steps have been taken to address this concern.
This ongoing controversy highlights the challenges and ethical complexities surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in content creation and aggregation. As Perplexity AI navigates these turbulent waters, the tech community and content creators will be watching closely to see how the company addresses these serious allegations and whether it can restore its reputation amid growing concerns about AI ethics and content ownership.
