Perplexity has launched Comet, a Chromium-based “agentic” browser that uses AI to automate tasks and personalize the browsing experience. The rollout began in July 2025 with invite-only access for Perplexity Max subscribers, followed by regional expansions. [Reference: Perplexity Comet launch materials, July 2025; coverage of regional availability updates, September 2025]

What’s driving the concern

Chief executive Aravind Srinivas has said one reason for building a browser is to capture signals “outside the app” — such as purchases, travel and general browsing — to better understand users and deliver “hyper-personalized” ads, including via a discovery feed. Those remarks were made in April 2025 and discussed again in July 2025. [Reference: April 2025 public remarks by Aravind Srinivas; The Verge “Decoder” discussion, July 2025]

How this contrasts with the market

Mainstream browsers continue to strengthen default anti-tracking. Apple’s Safari ships Intelligent Tracking Prevention, and Mozilla’s Firefox enables Enhanced Tracking Protection that blocks cross-site tracking cookies by default. Comet’s data-hungry model therefore sits in tension with evolving privacy expectations. [Reference: Apple WebKit documentation on ITP, current to 2025; Mozilla Firefox documentation on ETP, current to 2025]

Why it matters

Perplexity is betting that users will trade more of their privacy for a more capable, AI-driven browser. The launch and subsequent expansion will test whether consumers accept extensive data collection in return for convenience — and how regulators respond as “AI browsers” move into the mainstream. [Reference: Perplexity Comet product positioning and media briefings, July–September 2025]