Websites are blocking AI agents from booking and shopping

In short: More popular websites are starting to block AI agents from doing tasks for users, like booking tickets or logging into accounts.

What's going on

AI companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google are promoting “AI agents,” which are tools that can try to do online chores for you (like a digital assistant that clicks around websites on your behalf). These agents are meant to handle things like making dinner reservations, cleaning up email, or shopping.

But in recent weeks, users have reported that some well-known websites are not letting these agents in. People using services such as Meta’s Muse, xAI’s Grok, OpenAI’s Dots, and Instinct say their agents hit blocks when trying to complete tasks on major sites.

Some companies have given reasons. Yelp told TechCrunch it only allows AI agents that pay for its data licensing program, which is a paid way to use Yelp’s information. Delta Air Lines is reportedly preventing AI agents from booking tickets for users. Banks are also shutting the door, with JPMorgan Chase and Charles Schwab confirming they block AI agents from accessing accounts, citing security concerns.

Users also say some sites that used to work no longer do, including Cars.com and Amtrak. That suggests other companies may be blocking agents quietly, without making a public announcement.

What to watch

A key question is whether AI agent makers will strike deals with websites, the way apps often need permission to connect to other services. If more sites keep blocking agents, these tools may only work well on websites that officially support them, rather than across the open web.

Source: The Verge AI