Amazon Blocks Meta's Muse AI Agent Over Access Concerns

Meta's Muse AI agent, which has been making waves since its debut on September 8th, has hit a roadblock. Amazon blocked the app from accessing its platform due to concerns about access and transparency. According to the Los Angeles Times, Amazon was not informed about Muse in advance and did not authorize it to operate on their site.

The e-commerce giant alleged that Muse appeared to capture and store customer credentials without identifying itself as an AI agent. This has raised questions about user trust and security. 'Third-party applications that offer to make purchases on behalf of customers from other businesses should operate openly and respect service provider decisions about whether or not to participate,' said an Amazon spokesperson.

The move by Amazon is part of a broader reaction by businesses to Muse's sudden popularity. Resy, an online restaurant reservations platform, has also pushed back against the app, stating that it does not currently permit unapproved third-party bots or agents to access its service.

Shares of several companies, including Airbnb, Expedia, and TripAdvisor, fell around 5% in the week following Meta's announcement of new updates to Muse. This indicates that investors are taking a cautious approach to the app's impact on their businesses.