eBay has updated its User Agreement to place new restrictions on third-party AI tools that interact with the platform. This move, announced as part of an update taking effect on February 20, 2026, explicitly prohibits the use of AI-based "buy-for-me" agents, large language model (LLM) bots, and any automated systems that attempt to place orders without human review. Previously, eBay’s terms disallowed general automated tools like scrapers and spiders, but this is the first time AI agents and LLMs have been mentioned specifically.
The change comes amid the rapid growth of "agentic commerce", a term used to describe AI tools designed to perform shopping tasks such as browsing, comparing, and purchasing products on behalf of users. While the update may seem like a small adjustment to the platform’s policies, it reflects the increasing presence of these technologies in online marketplaces.
AI Shopping Tools on the Rise
The emergence of agentic commerce has been fueled by advancements in AI-powered features. For instance, OpenAI introduced shopping capabilities to ChatGPT in April 2025, allowing users to receive product recommendations. Later that year, in September, OpenAI launched Instant Checkout, a feature enabling users to buy items from Etsy and Shopify merchants directly within the chat interface. In November 2025, eBay CEO Jamie Iannone suggested that the platform might consider joining OpenAI’s Instant Checkout program in the future.
However, eBay’s updated terms indicate a cautious approach to these technologies. By disallowing unauthorized AI tools, the platform aims to maintain control over how its services are accessed and used, as well as to address potential security and operational concerns.
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Key Provisions of the Update
Under the revised User Agreement, users are prohibited from employing "buy-for-me agents, LLM-driven bots, or any end-to-end flow that attempts to place orders without human review" unless explicitly permitted by eBay. This new language emphasizes the need for human oversight in transactions conducted on the platform. The decision aligns with eBay’s ongoing efforts to regulate automated tools and ensure compliance with its policies.
Although specifics regarding enforcement remain unclear, the updated agreement highlights the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated AI shopping tools and the need to balance innovation with responsible usage.
Looking Ahead
As agentic commerce tools grow in popularity, platforms like eBay are adapting their policies to address the unique challenges these technologies present. Whether this update will lead to broader changes in how AI interacts with e-commerce platforms remains to be seen. For now, eBay users relying on AI shopping tools will need to ensure compliance with the platform’s new rules or risk violating its terms of service.