Provision record
Perplexity AI · Perplexity Data Processing Addendum · View original document ↗

Perplexity must process only on documented Customer instructions

High severity Medium confidence Explicit document language Common · 279 of 352 platforms

Key Facts

How must Perplexity AI process Personal Data?
Perplexity AI must process Personal Data only on documented instructions from Customer, for the limited and specific purpose described in Annex 1, unless applicable Privacy Laws otherwise permit such processing.
What must documented instructions from Customer be for?
Perplexity AI must process Personal Data only on documented instructions from Customer, for the limited and specific purpose described in Annex 1, unless applicable Privacy Laws otherwise permit such processing.
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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)

Restricting processing to documented instructions and a named purpose limits Perplexity AI's discretion over how it uses Personal Data, anchoring permissible processing to the Customer's direction.

Interpretive note: The excerpt appears to be a fragment of a larger obligation list rather than a standalone clause; the subject of the obligation is inferred from context as Perplexity AI. Annex 1 is referenced but not provided, so the specific purpose cannot be evaluated.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Aug 16, 2026

Business customers using Perplexity services are now governed by an updated DPA with two material operational changes. First, subprocessor disclosures have shifted from a static document attachment (Annex 2) to a live online list maintained at https://trust.perplexity.ai/subprocessors, with notifications of changes coming through in-product notification or email rather than through formal amendment. Second, certain Perplexity services (specifically Embeddings API and Perplexity Search) now operate under product-specific data postures and terms that control over the main DPA, meaning the data handling for those services may differ from the baseline agreement. Business customers should review the Trust Center list regularly and check for in-product notifications regarding subprocessor changes, as the updated terms no longer require static amendment cycles.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
Jul 10, 2026
First Seen
Jul 10, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 3333 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Customers' Personal Data may only be processed according to their documented instructions and the specific purpose in Annex 1, except where Privacy Laws independently authorize different processing.

How other platforms handle this

Microsoft Medium

We do not use what you say in email, chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos or other personal files, to target advertising to you.

MyFitnessPal Medium

We use your personal information to send you newsletters and other promotional communications, including information about MyFitnessPal's new offerings, features, offers, events, webinars, and other information.

Lyft Medium

We may infer certain information from your interactions with the Lyft Platform and other personal information available to us. For example, if you frequently ride to or from airports, we may infer you are a frequent traveler.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
only process Personal Data on documented instructions from Customer, for the limited and specific purpose described in Annex 1, unless otherwise permitted to process such Personal Data by applicable Privacy Laws

Excerpt from Perplexity AI's Perplexity Data Processing Addendum

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
EU AI Act - High Risk Provisions
EU
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
UK GDPR
United Kingdom

Provision details

Document information
Document
Perplexity Data Processing Addendum
Entity
Perplexity AI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 20, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-060405
Document ID
CA-D-00763
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
63330764edf10647a51ca197723ef717b3e1db5fabfb778068184b91e31fc670
Analysis generated
May 20, 2026 22:20 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Perplexity AI
Document: Perplexity Data Processing Addendum
Record ID: CA-P-060405
Captured: 2026-05-20 22:20:53 UTC
SHA-256: 63330764edf10647…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/perplexity-ai/perplexity-data-processing-addendum/provision/CA-P-060405/perplexity-must-process-only-on-documented-customer-instructions/
Accessed: Aug. 18, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Perplexity AI's Perplexity must process only on documented Customer instructions clause do?

Restricting processing to documented instructions and a named purpose limits Perplexity AI's discretion over how it uses Personal Data, anchoring permissible processing to the Customer's direction.

How does this clause affect you?

Customers' Personal Data may only be processed according to their documented instructions and the specific purpose in Annex 1, except where Privacy Laws independently authorize different processing.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 279 platforms. See the full comparison.

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.