Perplexity AI · Perplexity API Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Input and Output License to Perplexity

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Document Record

What it is

Developers grant Perplexity a royalty-free, worldwide license to use content submitted to the API, including prompts and generated outputs, for operating and improving its services. This license applies to any content transmitted through API calls.

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 authorizes Perplexity to use developer-submitted inputs and AI-generated outputs beyond the scope of fulfilling the immediate API request, including for model training and service development purposes. Developers transmitting sensitive, proprietary, or personal data through the API should evaluate whether this license scope is consistent with their own data governance obligations and user-facing privacy commitments.

Interpretive note: The precise scope of 'improving and developing the Services' is not defined, and it is uncertain whether this includes model training on developer-submitted inputs.

Change history

modified May 27, 2026

Scope expanded from 'analyze' to 'distribute' outputs, and purposes broadened from 'maintaining and improving the Service' to 'developing the Services,' giving Perplexity broader rights to redistribute user-generated content.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision establishes that content submitted through the API, including prompts and outputs, may be used by Perplexity for service improvement under a license that is royalty-free and worldwide in scope. Developers who transmit personal data or confidential business content through the API should assess whether this license is compatible with applicable data protection obligations and contractual commitments to their own end users.

How other platforms handle this

Luma AI Medium

During Paid Use. You hereby grant to Luma a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully paid right and license (with the right to sublicense through multiple tiers) to use, host, and store Input provided during an active Subscription Term, solely as reasonably necessary to: (1) provid...

Kajabi Medium

"Content" means anything you or your Customers create or make available through the Service in connection with your Account, including your intellectual property (e.g. trademarks, trade names, service marks, and copyrighted works); the products or services you offer (e.g., courses, coaching, members...

ConvertKit Medium

By posting, uploading, inputting, providing or submitting your Content you grant Kit, its affiliated companies and necessary sublicensees permission to use your Content in connection with the operation of their Internet businesses including, without limitation, the rights to: copy, distribute, trans...

See all platforms with this clause type →

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
By submitting inputs to the API, you grant Perplexity a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute such inputs and any outputs generated in connection therewith for the purposes of operating, improving, and developing the Services.

— Excerpt from Perplexity AI's Perplexity API Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages GDPR where inputs contain personal data of EU/EEA residents, as the license grant may constitute onward processing beyond the original purpose, potentially conflicting with GDPR data minimization and purpose limitation principles. CCPA may apply where California resident personal information is included in API inputs. The FTC Act is relevant to consumer-facing applications where end users may not be aware their data is being used to improve a third-party AI system. Enforcement authorities include EU data protection authorities and the FTC. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High. The license covers both inputs and outputs, meaning that proprietary business logic embedded in prompts, or personal data transmitted as part of queries, may be used by Perplexity for purposes beyond the immediate API transaction. This is operationally significant for enterprises with data residency, confidentiality, or privacy obligations. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU/EEA developers face heightened exposure under GDPR, particularly regarding purpose limitation and the absence of an explicit Data Processing Agreement. California-based deployments involving consumer personal information engage CCPA obligations. Developers in regulated industries such as healthcare or financial services face additional constraints. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Procurement teams should assess whether this license grant is disclosed to end users through the developer's own privacy policy, and whether the developer's terms with Perplexity satisfy processor obligations under GDPR Article 28. The agreement may require amendment or supplementary data processing terms for EU deployments. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should conduct a data flow mapping exercise to identify what categories of personal or sensitive data may be transmitted through API calls, and evaluate whether the license scope requires disclosure updates to end-user privacy notices or opt-in consent mechanisms.

Full compliance analysis

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive data practices, including cases where the scope of data use in AI systems is not clearly disclosed to end users.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

DSA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Perplexity API Terms of Service
Entity
Perplexity AI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 21, 2026
Last verified
May 21, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-013140
Document ID
CA-D-00761
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
9ba2c4c777b931c48dcc71a3fc86a6cc257d8d795e18f5d220f8ff7a22f065af
Analysis generated
May 21, 2026 05:31 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Perplexity AI
Document: Perplexity API Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-013140
Captured: 2026-05-21 05:31:01 UTC
SHA-256: 9ba2c4c777b931c4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/perplexity-ai/perplexity-api-terms-of-service/input-and-output-license-to-perplexity/
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 Input and Output License to Perplexity clause do?

This provision authorizes Perplexity to use developer-submitted inputs and AI-generated outputs beyond the scope of fulfilling the immediate API request, including for model training and service development purposes. Developers transmitting sensitive, proprietary, or personal data through the API should evaluate whether this license scope is consistent with their own data governance obligations and user-facing privacy commitments.

How does this clause affect you?

This provision establishes that content submitted through the API, including prompts and outputs, may be used by Perplexity for service improvement under a license that is royalty-free and worldwide in scope. Developers who transmit personal data or confidential business content through the API should assess whether this license is compatible with applicable data protection obligations and contractual commitments to their …

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.