Amazon shows Meta's Muse AI shopping agent the door

Amazon has restricted Meta's Muse AI agent from making purchases on its platform, apparently unwilling to allow a third-party bot to interact with customer accounts and place orders. The company blocked Muse after Meta refused to prevent the AI agent from accessing its store, according to GeekWire. Users who attempt to use Muse are informed that unauthorized AI agents violate Amazon's Conditions of Use.

Muse attempted to find and add the best-reviewed ergonomic office chair to a shopping cart before reaching the checkout screen, but was unable to do so due to Amazon's anti-bot measures. The company claims that Muse failed to identify itself while browsing and appears to capture and store customer credentials. Amazon also accused Meta of accessing customer order history when instructed to do so.

While Meta maintains that Muse cannot access passwords or payment methods, and that credentials are held in secure storage, Amazon remains concerned about security and the potential for outside AI agents to interfere with its shopping experience. Amazon has been actively trying to prevent rival AI agents from accessing its storefront, including taking legal action against Perplexity over the Comet browser.

The retailer has its own shopping agents, such as Alexa for Shopping and Buy for Me, and sees control over the shopping process as essential for maintaining advertising revenue.