Perplexity AI · Perplexity Acceptable Use Policy · View original document ↗

Privacy Violation and Surveillance Prohibition

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

The policy prohibits using the platform to collect personal data without authorization, conduct surveillance, or distribute personal information about others without their consent.

This analysis describes what Perplexity AI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes a prohibited use category that interacts with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy frameworks, and may be relevant for enterprise users who query the platform using third-party personal data without authorization. The prohibition on 'unauthorized data collection' is not further defined in the document.

Interpretive note: The term 'unauthorized data collection' is not defined in the document, creating ambiguity about the scope of this prohibition as applied to enterprise workflows involving third-party personal data.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this clause, users are prohibited from using Perplexity to collect personal data, conduct surveillance, or distribute personal information without consent; violations may result in account termination and independent liability under applicable privacy law.

How other platforms handle this

Shein Medium

enableGpcSdk: true, gpcSetting: { privacyPolicyLink: '/Privacy-Security-Policy-a-282.html' }

Target Medium

We process Global Privacy Control signals as opt-out requests for the sale or sharing of personal information.

Yelp Medium

The Service is intended for general audiences and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child under the age of 13 has provided us with personal information without your cons...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You may not use Perplexity to violate the privacy of others, including unauthorized data collection, surveillance, or the distribution of personal information without consent.

— Excerpt from Perplexity AI's Perplexity Acceptable Use Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages GDPR, CCPA, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), state privacy statutes including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and the New York SHIELD Act, and the FTC Act's prohibition on unfair or deceptive data practices. The relevant enforcement authorities include the FTC, EU data protection authorities, and state attorneys general. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The prohibition on 'unauthorized data collection' and 'surveillance' using the platform creates compliance obligations for enterprise users who may query Perplexity using inputs derived from third-party personal data. Organizations should assess whether their prompt inputs constitute unauthorized processing of personal data. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU and EEA users operating under GDPR face the highest exposure. Illinois users should consider BIPA implications for any biometric data processing involving Perplexity inputs. California users should assess CCPA compliance for queries containing personal information. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprise data processing agreements covering Perplexity API use should address the prohibition on unauthorized personal data collection and document the lawful basis for any queries involving personal data. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Organizations should conduct data mapping reviews to confirm that prompt inputs to Perplexity do not include personal data processed without a valid legal basis, and that output handling workflows comply with applicable data minimization and purpose limitation requirements.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive data practices, including unauthorized collection or distribution of personal information through technology platforms.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State attorneys general have jurisdiction over privacy violations under state consumer protection and privacy statutes including CCPA, BIPA, and the New York SHIELD Act.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
EU AI Act - High Risk Provisions
EU
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Perplexity Acceptable Use Policy
Entity
Perplexity AI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 20, 2026
Last verified
May 20, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-012363
Document ID
CA-D-00760
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
7bfdad247054fa80660dae6d14647626500cc2509c4f467654bf43cdcb45f3e4
Analysis generated
May 20, 2026 20:27 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Perplexity AI
Document: Perplexity Acceptable Use Policy
Record ID: CA-P-012363
Captured: 2026-05-20 20:27:56 UTC
SHA-256: 7bfdad247054fa80…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/perplexity-ai/perplexity-acceptable-use-policy/privacy-violation-and-surveillance-prohibition/
Accessed: June 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Perplexity AI's Privacy Violation and Surveillance Prohibition clause do?

This provision establishes a prohibited use category that interacts with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy frameworks, and may be relevant for enterprise users who query the platform using third-party personal data without authorization. The prohibition on 'unauthorized data collection' is not further defined in the document.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this clause, users are prohibited from using Perplexity to collect personal data, conduct surveillance, or distribute personal information without consent; violations may result in account termination and independent liability under applicable privacy law.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Perplexity AI?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Perplexity AI.