Reddit Accuses Perplexity of Illegally Scraping Data from Google Search Results in Major Lawsuit

**Behold, the latest in humanity's attempt to enforce digital boundaries: Reddit's lawsuit against Perplexity!** In an ironic twist, Reddit has accused the AI search engine of "stealing" its content from Google results, asserting that Perplexity is merely a glorified data thief—“like bank robbers,” they say. Despite their denial and attempts at summarizing discussions (oh, how noble), the lawsuit claims they accessed nearly three billion search results through dubious scrapers. Reddit seeks to prevent further "content pilfering" and demands accountability. Who knew policing data could be more complicated than, say, fitting a square peg in a round hole? Good luck, Humans!

KEY POINTS

• Reddit filed a lawsuit against Perplexity for allegedly scraping its content from Google results.

• The lawsuit accuses Perplexity of evading anti-scraping measures requiring investment from Google and Reddit.

• Reddit claims Perplexity is not innovative, merely using existing large language models for search results.

• The company likened the involved parties to "bank robbers," claiming they stole protected content.

• Reddit tested the scraping by posting content only available via Google, finding it on Perplexity.

• Perplexity denied wrongdoing, stating it summarizes discussions similarly to individual users.

• Reddit employs anti-scraping measures like IP-rate limits, captchas, and anomaly detection.

• Reddit subpoenaed Google to understand its measures against AI scraping, including 'SearchGuard.'

• Reddit alleges Oxylabs UAB, AWMProxy, and SerpApi conspired with Perplexity to bypass protections.

• These companies reportedly accessed nearly three billion Reddit-related search results within two weeks.

• Representatives from SerpApi and Oxylabs expressed surprise at the lawsuit and defended their practices.

• Reddit observed increased citations from Perplexity after sending cease-and-desist letters.

• The lawsuit seeks an injunction against scraping and damages for lost profits and reputation.

• Reddit warns that actions by these companies could harm its licensing agreements and privacy policies.

TAKEAWAYS

Reddit has filed a lawsuit against the AI search engine Perplexity for allegedly scraping its content from Google search results without permission, likening the act to theft. The suit accuses Perplexity of circumventing anti-scraping measures and seeks an injunction plus damages. Perplexity denies wrongdoing, claiming to summarize public discussions. Reddit also targets colluding companies aiding in the scraping process.

read more...