## eBay bans automated shopping via AI eBay has updated its User Agreement to explicitly ban the use of third-party automated agents and AI-powered chatbots to make purchases on the platform without prior authorization. The change, which will take effect on February 20, 2026, aims to counter the increasing spread of so-called "agentic commerce." ## What does "agentic commerce" mean? The term refers to the use of artificial intelligence tools designed to browse, compare, and purchase products on behalf of users. These agents, often based on large language models (LLMs), can automate the purchasing process, potentially altering the dynamics of the online marketplace. ## Implications of the ban eBay's decision highlights the need to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in online commerce. While the previous version of the agreement already prohibited the use of robots and scraping tools, the update now specifies the prohibition of AI agents and LLM-based bots that attempt to place orders without human review. It remains to be seen how eBay will enforce this ban and what the consequences will be for users who violate the terms of service.