Perplexity AI is expanding its offerings beyond AI-powered search and answers by launching an insider trading tracker, with plans to add a politician trading watchlist next. The move signals a shift for the company as it integrates real-time financial data with reputational and public accountability tools.
Over the past year, Perplexity has developed its “Holders” tab to show institutional share ownership. The new feature brings insider trades into the spotlight, giving retail investors visibility into trades typically hidden in regulatory filings. Supporters say this levels the playing field, while critics warn of privacy concerns, potential misuse, and unintended consequences.
Insider trading is heavily regulated because executives and board members often have advance knowledge of company activity. While regulatory filings make much of this information public, delays and accessibility issues limit its usefulness. Politician trading is even more sensitive. Some jurisdictions require public officials to declare holdings, while others do not. Publishing real-time trades by lawmakers could expose conflicts of interest but also raises questions about privacy, political participation, and oversight of personal wealth.
Integrating insider and politician trades into a consumer-facing product is technically challenging. Perplexity must verify data sources, align timestamps, filter noise, and maintain accuracy to avoid liability. There is also a trust factor: users may interpret the platform’s signals as endorsements, placing pressure on Perplexity to flag suspicious behavior responsibly.
Regulatory ambiguity adds another layer of complexity. Securities regulators in India and elsewhere may restrict distribution of trading data, creating potential conflicts between Perplexity’s transparency goals and local laws.
Perplexity’s broader strategy, including its Comet browser that reportedly executes trades on Zerodha without clicks, aims to empower users with financial insight and autonomy. However, entering both financial and political domains carries significant risks. Errors, misinterpretations, or misuse could lead to scrutiny from users and regulators alike.
By announcing these features, Perplexity is staking a claim in the intersection of AI, finance, and public accountability. The coming months will test whether the company can balance transparency with privacy and responsible data usage.
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