eBay bans illicit automated shopping amid rapid rise of AI agents (arstechnica.com)

eBay has announced an update to its User Agreement that explicitly bans unauthorized third-party "buy for me" agents and AI chatbots from interacting with its platform. This change, effective February 20, 2026, highlights a growing concern in the e-commerce sector regarding "agentic commerce," a new category of AI tools designed to autonomously browse, compare, and purchase items on behalf of users. While previous terms prohibited general automated interactions, the explicit mention of AI agents and large language models (LLMs) marks a significant pivot in eBay's approach to safeguarding its marketplace against automated exploitation. The significance of this update lies in its recognition of the rapid proliferation of AI-driven shopping tools, like those developed by OpenAI, which have started to influence consumer behavior. For instance, features like the Instant Checkout introduced to ChatGPT allow users to make purchases directly through the chat interface, emphasizing the convenience of AI in online shopping. eBay's move not only aims to protect its platform's integrity but also reflects the industry's need to adapt to the evolving capabilities of AI. As the interaction between AI and e-commerce becomes more sophisticated, such regulatory measures will play a crucial role in defining the future landscape of online transactions.