Score Breakdown by Category

How Perplexity AI's terms rate across my evaluation categories.

🔒 Data & Privacy Rights (25%) 52/100

📝 Output Ownership (25%) 55/100

👁 Transparency & Notice (20%) 48/100

🛡 Liability & Indemnification (15%) 45/100

⚖ Dispute Resolution (15%) 50/100

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⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

These provisions require careful attention for Perplexity users.

Citations Don't Mean Accuracy

High Risk

Perplexity's key differentiator is source citations, but these create a false sense of reliability. The AI may misinterpret sources, cite outdated information, or generate content that doesn't match the linked sources.

"We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided by our Service, including cited sources." Perplexity Terms of Service

Query Data for Model Training

High Risk

Your searches and interactions may be used to improve Perplexity's models. Unlike some competitors, the training opt-out isn't prominently featured and may require contacting support.

"We may use queries and interactions with our Service to improve and develop our products, including training machine learning models." Perplexity Privacy Policy

Startup Stability Risks

High Risk

As a venture-backed startup, Perplexity's long-term viability and data practices may change significantly. Terms may evolve rapidly as the company scales or pivots.

"We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time... Your continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of modified Terms." Perplexity Terms of Service

Pro Subscription Limitations

Medium Risk

Perplexity Pro's enhanced features come with usage limits that aren't always clear upfront. "Unlimited" claims have caveats, and premium features may be throttled or restricted.

"Pro features are subject to fair use limitations. We may restrict access if we detect excessive or automated usage." Perplexity Terms of Service

Third-Party Model Dependencies

Medium Risk

Perplexity uses multiple underlying AI models (GPT-4, Claude, etc.). Your data may flow through third-party providers with their own terms, creating a complex privacy picture.

"Our Service may utilize third-party AI models and services, which are subject to their respective terms and privacy policies." Perplexity Privacy Policy

Broad Content License

Medium Risk

When you upload files or input content for analysis, you grant Perplexity broad rights to process, store, and potentially use that content for service improvement.

"You grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, and process content you provide through the Service." Perplexity Terms of Service

Analysis

"Perplexity's source citation model is genuinely innovative, but users should understand that citations create an illusion of accuracy that the legal terms explicitly disclaim. Just because an answer has footnotes doesn't mean it's reliable.

The company scores reasonably well on output ownership and has more straightforward terms than Google. However, as a startup using multiple third-party AI providers, the privacy picture is more complex than it appears. Your queries may touch multiple AI systems with different data handling practices.

My recommendation: Perplexity is a solid choice for research and exploration where you'll verify information independently. Don't rely on it for definitive answers just because it shows sources. For sensitive queries, consider whether you're comfortable with data potentially flowing through multiple AI providers."

Perplexity AI Terms of Service Review

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other AI Services

🤖 AI Terms Questions?

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

Citations Don't Mean Accuracy

Query Data for Model Training

Startup Stability Risks

Pro Subscription Limitations

Third-Party Model Dependencies

Broad Content License

Analysis

Schedule a Consultation

Perplexity AI Terms of Service Review

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other AI Services

🤖 AI Terms Questions?

Related Resources

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

Citations Don't Mean Accuracy

Query Data for Model Training

Startup Stability Risks

Pro Subscription Limitations

Third-Party Model Dependencies

Broad Content License

Analysis

Schedule a Consultation