Perplexity, a company that helps people find answers using artificial intelligence, is making a new web browser called Comet. According to reports from Engadget and TechCrunch, this browser will track what you do online to show you more personalized ads. The browser was announced in February and should be ready for people to use in May.
Aravind Srinivas, who runs Perplexity as CEO, and Dmitry Shevelenko, the company’s Chief Business Officer, shared these plans during a podcast interview. They believe people will accept this tracking if the ads they see are more useful to them.
What is the Comet Browser?
Comet will be built using Chromium, which is the free software that powers Google Chrome and many other browsers. Think of Chromium as a recipe book that different companies can use to make their own browsers, adding their own special ingredients.
The new browser will have a special section called a “discover feed” where you’ll see ads. But these won’t be random ads. They’ll be chosen specially for you based on what Perplexity learns about your interests and habits online – this is what experts call “targeted advertising”.
What Data Will Be Collected?
Perplexity wants to know much more about you than just your work questions. The company plans to track many kinds of activities, including:
- What you buy online
- Places you plan to travel
- Websites you visit regularly
- Things you search for
- Content you read or watch
This is very similar to how Google collects information about people who use its services. Google processes about 8.5 billion searches every day, gathering huge amounts of data to create detailed profiles of users. Think of these profiles as digital diaries that record your online life.
Partnership with Phone Companies
Perplexity isn’t just making a browser. The company has also made a deal with Motorola to put its app on new Razr series phones. When a company arranges for its app to come already installed on a new device, this is called “pre-installation” – it helps the app reach more people quickly.
People who buy these Motorola phones will get some special benefits:
- Free access to Perplexity Pro for 3 months
- Special features on the Razr’s outside screen
- Integration with Moto AI (Motorola’s own artificial intelligence)
Perplexity is also talking with Samsung about similar partnerships. The company wants its technology to turn smartphones into personal assistants that can answer questions and help with research anytime you need.
How Does This Compare to Other Tech Giants?
Perplexity isn’t the only company collecting user data. Here’s how different big tech companies approach data collection:
| Company | Data Collection Approach | What They Do With Data |
|---|---|---|
| Perplexity | Plans to track all browsing activity through Comet browser | Create hyper-personalized ads |
| Processes 8.5 billion searches daily, tracks Chrome activity | Powers targeted advertising network | |
| Meta | Made about 500,000 US data requests (July 2023-June 2024) | Creates detailed user profiles for ads |
| Apple | Focuses on processing data on your device, not in the cloud | Claims to prioritize privacy over data collection |
Potential Privacy Concerns
Whenever companies collect lots of data about what people do online, there are worries about privacy. While Perplexity believes users will accept tracking in exchange for better ads, some people might feel uncomfortable knowing a browser is watching everything they do online.
For Indian internet users, who now make up one of the largest online populations in the world, these developments could mean more personalized experiences but also raise questions about data protection, especially as India continues to develop its own data privacy laws.
Expanding Beyond AI Search
This browser is part of Perplexity’s bigger plan to grow beyond just being an AI search company. By creating a browser and partnering with phone makers, Perplexity is trying to compete with tech giants like Google.
The company wants to transform how people use their phones, turning them into personal assistants that can answer questions and help with research anytime you need.
What This Means For You
When Comet launches in May, you’ll have another browser option to consider. If you don’t mind sharing your online activities in exchange for more relevant ads and information, Comet might interest you. However, if you value your privacy and prefer not to have your online behavior closely tracked, you might want to stick with browsers that focus more on privacy protection.
As more companies compete for your attention and data, it becomes increasingly important to understand what information you’re sharing and how it’s being used. The choice of which browser to use is becoming more than just about speed and features – it’s also about how much of your digital life you’re comfortable sharing.
