Perplexity AI class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Ntsikelelo Bonga filed a class action lawsuit against Perplexity AI Inc.
- Why: Bonga claims Perplexity AI misleads consumers about usage limits for its paid subscription service.
- Where: The Perplexity AI class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
A new class action lawsuit alleges AI-powered answer engine Perplexity AI misleads consumers about usage limits for its paid subscription service.
Plaintiff Ntsikelelo Bonga claims Perplexity AI fails to clearly inform its subscribers what their $20 per month payment entitles them to and changes the benefits of the service without notice.
Bonga argues that in February 2026, Perplexity cut subscribers’ Deep Research allowance from hundreds of queries per day to roughly 20 per month without informing subscribers.
“Many subscribers learned of the change when the product stopped working in the middle of periods they had already paid for,” the Perplexity AI class action lawsuit says.
Bonga wants to represent a nationwide class and Illinois subclass of all persons who bought a Perplexity Pro subscription within the applicable limitations period.
Subscribers claim ‘no recourse’ against alleged access reductions
According to the Perplexity AI class action lawsuit, the company built its Perplexity Pro subscriber base by advertising volume, such as marketing that subscribers could run 500 Deep Research queries per day.
Bonga argues Perplexity AI, however, now meters subscribers’ use of browser-agent tasks, advanced AI models and Perplexity Computer through weekly usage limits and credit balances it refuses to disclose.
“Customers have no recourse as Perplexity reduces their access to advanced Perplexity features,” the Perplexity AI class action lawsuit says. “Perplexity is clear — no refunds after 24 hours for monthly subscribers and no refunds after 72 hours for annual subscribers, even when Perplexity reduces what subscribers paid for.”
Bonga claims Perplexity AI is liable for unjust enrichment and violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law as well as the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
The plaintiff demands a jury trial and requests injunctive relief and an award of compensatory, actual and punitive damages for himself and all class members.
Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini AI is also facing consumer action with allegations it uses false reference pricing to market its Gemini subscription products.
Have you purchased a Perplexity Pro subscription? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Tina Wolfson, Deborah De Villa, Lisa Cintron and Bradley K. King of Ahdoot & Wolfson P.C.
The Perplexity AI class action lawsuit is Bonga v. Perplexity AI Inc., Case No. 3:26-cv-12673, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division.
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