Perplexity CEO raises concerns over Google allegedly switching Android digital assistant settings

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, has sparked a discussion within the tech community after posting on X about reports that Google may be covertly switching Android users’ default assistant from Perplexity back to Google Assistant or Gemini without their consent. The claim has drawn a mix of responses from users, some corroborating the issue and others denying it, highlighting a potential tension between the two AI-driven assistant platforms.

Srinivas’s post on X read: “Hearing incidents of Google secretly switching the assistant back to Google from Perplexity without the Perplexity users’s consent.”

Given the uncertainty, Srinivas is seeking user feedback to gauge the severity of this issue. Below is a screengrab of the post alongside a reply corroborating the claim:

Responses to Srinivas’s post on X reveal a divided user base. Several individuals confirmed experiencing unexpected switches. One user noted, “Just checked. Google has done it. While a month back, I had made Perplexity to be my default assistant. I don’t use assistant. I simply go to the app itself. That’s why didn’t get to know about it earlier.” Another user reported, “Yes, they changed it to me in a Xiaomi 11 that I have. I put Perplexity and then they changed it to Google,” while a third simply stated, “It happened to me.”

The issue isn’t new for some. A user referenced a February 20 X post directed at Srinivas and Perplexity’s official account: “On my Android, I use Perplexity assistant as my default assistant app. But it get constantly changed back to Gemini on its own in few days. Any idea why?” This suggests the problem may have persisted for weeks, if not longer.

Another Reddit post from January on the r/perplexity_ai subreddit further corroborates these claims.

Srinivas has been vocal about Perplexity’s ambitions to challenge Google’s dominance in the assistant space. In a January 23, 2025, X thread announcing the availability of Perplexity digital assistant on Android, he announced, “We’re going to make it available for free to all Android users. All you gotta do is switch your default assistant on your Android phone from Google (or Gemini) to Perplexity. It’s a no-brainer because neither of those assistants can handle the tasks Perplexity Assistant can.” This bold claim positions Perplexity as a superior alternative, capable of multi-app actions and contextual understanding that rivals like Gemini struggle to match consistently.

However, user feedback suggests Google may be leveraging its ecosystem control to counteract this competition. Back in January, Srinivas wrote on X that he remains hopeful digital assistants will remain an open playground on Android, unlike Search where Google dominates. However, he has recently indicated that they are willing to bank on more than just hope. One X user remarked, “I have made perplexity as default search engines, almost daily it’s asking to change.” Srinivas was quick to note that “this is one of the reasons why despite the advice of so many people to not venture into the browser war, we actually have to.” This hints at Perplexity’s potential plans to develop “Comet,” possibly a browser or deeper system integration, to circumvent Google’s influence.

Not all users reported issues, though. Responses to Srinivas’ post like “Still Perplexity for me” and “Mine is still perplexity. S24U” indicate the problem isn’t universal, possibly tied to specific devices, Android versions, or update cycles. This inconsistency in reports leaves the scope of the issue unclear.

Still, if substantiated, thse allegations could raise questions about Google’s practices on Android, an open-source platform where it maintains significant control. Users switching back after updates or restarts suggest a possible intentional reset mechanism, though no definitive proof has emerged.

Perplexity’s rise as a competitor has been notable. Early adopters have praised its assistant for outperforming Gemini in real-time answers and app integration, yet noted shortcomings like lack of wake-word activation or full system-level command parity with Google’s offerings. This competitive pressure might explain Google’s alleged response, though the lack of widespread coverage beyond niche forums and X posts is puzzling.

The CEO’s call for user input has spotlighted a potential friction point in the Android assistant landscape. While some users back his concerns with firsthand accounts, others see no issue, leaving the situation murky. As Perplexity pushes to disrupt Google’s dominance, these reports suggest a tug-of-war over user preference, with Google possibly using its platform leverage to maintain control. Whether this escalates into a broader controversy or prompts Perplexity to innovate further remains to be seen, but for now, Srinivas’s proactive engagement has at least amplified the conversation.