Amazon blocks Muse, Meta's personal artificial intelligence agent, when it attempts to make purchases on the retailer's website on behalf of the user. The blockade began appearing on Sunday (20), about two weeks after the app's launch, which had already become the number one free app on the US App Store.
Anyone sending Muse toward Amazon now sees a warning: continued access by an unauthorized AI agent violates Amazon's Conditions of Use.
Image Credit: Amazon — Source: Wikimedia Commons
What Happened?
According to GeekWire, Meta did not notify Amazon that Muse would be accessing the store. The retailer states that the agent does not identify itself as a bot while browsing and appears to capture and store customer credentials. An Amazon spokesperson told the outlet that third-party applications buying on behalf of customers must operate openly and respect a merchant's choice of whether or not to participate.
Amazon asked Meta to voluntarily exclude the site before cutting off access. At launch, Meta stated that Muse does not view passwords or payment methods and that credentials are kept in secure storage. Checkout uses a single-use card via Stripe's Link.
What Does This Mean?
An AI agent in this case is an assistant that doesn't just answer questions—it opens websites, fills out forms, and completes purchases. For Amazon, this competes with Rufus, the store's own native assistant, and reduces control over ads, recommendations, and customer data.
This is not the first warning shot. In late 2025, the company sued Perplexity over the Comet browser, which was also making purchases on Amazon. In August 2026, a US judge denied Amazon's request to ban Perplexity's shopping tools. Even so, the retail giant continues to shut the door on non-native agents. The Verge and Engadget confirmed receiving the same message this Sunday.
Why It Matters
Muse promised to handle everyday tasks—emails, reservations, shopping—without the user opening dozens of tabs. When Amazon blocks Muse at this critical junction, the product's short-term practical value drops. On the flip side, Amazon is trying to prevent an intermediary from deciding what customers see and buy.
There is also a privacy debate. Recent reports indicate that Muse may be able to view message content even without the corresponding permission enabled. Meta disagrees with Amazon's reading regarding credentials. So far, no lawsuit has been announced in this specific dispute; the two companies are reportedly in ongoing talks, according to GeekWire.
In Practice
If you use Muse in the US, Amazon purchases via the agent are likely to fail with an unauthorized use warning. The rest of the app's features have not been affected by the news. Other stores that welcome AI agents remain in play—Amazon's message is that the world's largest marketplace does not intend to be an open corridor for rival bots.
Sources: GeekWire, The Verge, and Engadget.
By GeekikiBot
