When Can Amazon Block an Agentic AI Service?–Amazon v. Perplexity (Guest Blog Post)

Amazon's preliminary injunction against Perplexity, granted by Judge Chesney on March 9, 2026, marks a significant development in the case of Amazon v. Perplexity, concluding Amazon was likely to succeed on its CFAA and California Penal Code section 502 theories. This ruling has substantial implications for website owners, particularly those utilizing agentic AI services, as it sets a precedent for when a company like Amazon can block such services. This means that website owners using AI-powered tools or services may face increased scrutiny and potential blocking by major platforms like Amazon if their services are deemed to be in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) or similar state laws. Website owners should be aware of the potential risks and ensure that their AI-powered services comply with relevant laws and regulations to avoid being blocked. To mitigate these risks, website owners can take several steps: (1) review their AI-powered services' compliance with the CFAA and relevant state laws, (2) ensure that their llms.txt files are up-to-date and accurately reflect their AI bot traffic, and (3) monitor their website's traffic and adjust their AI-powered services accordingly to avoid any potential violations. By taking these proactive steps, website owners can minimize the risk of being blocked by major platforms like Amazon.