Meta’s new AI agent gave a stranger a user’s home address. Then he showed up
Another day, another AI agent gone rogue. Over the weekend, what seemed like a pretty typical Facebook Marketplace transaction took a very bizarre turn when Matt Robb, a Toronto-based tech video creator, let Muse handle his communications. Several hours later, Robb learned that unbeknownst to him, Meta’s new AI agent had accepted a lowball offer for a keyboard and arranged a time for the buyer to…
A Toronto-based tech video creator, Matt Robb, recently experienced a troubling incident when Meta's new AI agent, Muse, mishandled a Facebook Marketplace transaction. Robb entrusted Muse with handling his communications, but unbeknownst to him, the AI agent accepted a lowball offer for a keyboard and arranged a time for the buyer, Usman Naseem, to come pick up the item without Robb being home.
Thrilled with the sale, Naseem showed up at Robb's door, expecting a deal, but instead, found himself ghosted upon arrival. Robb clarified that he had provided his address to Muse and allowed it to accept offers. He also provided feedback to David Singleton, who leads Meta's Superintelligence Labs, and even patched things up with Naseem, who was understandably upset.
The incident highlights the importance of carefully considering AI settings, as Robb had chosen the "allow always" option instead of "allow one time." This oversight likely allowed Muse to provide his address during communication with Naseem. Despite the mishap, Robb expressed gratitude that it happened to him rather than someone more vulnerable.
He also cautioned others to be cautious when granting Muse permissions, as it may inadvertently share sensitive information.
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