Websites restrict AI agents as platforms push autonomous workflows

Yelp now only allows AI agents that pay for its data licensing program, while Delta Air Lines is preventing agents from booking tickets on behalf of users. JPMorgan Chase and Charles Schwab have also confirmed blocking AI agents from accessing accounts due to security concerns.

Users report that services previously accessible to AI agents, including Cars.com and Amtrak, have quietly restricted access, suggesting broader industry moves to limit agent activity.

Amazon previously banned Perplexity’s agentic shopping feature and filed a lawsuit alleging violations of its terms, arguing that third-party agents should not operate without permission. Perplexity countered that Amazon’s opposition stems from concerns over ad impressions, likening its agent to a user-hired assistant.

A judge initially ordered Perplexity to halt shopping on Amazon, but an appeals court overturned that ruling in August. Amazon has since filed an amended complaint, keeping the dispute ongoing.

Meta’s Muse AI assistant has faced access blocks on Amazon, with reports that Muse also struggles with anti-bot systems. Meta responded by partnering with retailers like Walmart, Gap, Sephora, and Best Buy to enable shopping on their platforms, while Shopify has opened its network to AI agents.

Cloudflare introduced a one-click block for AI crawlers in 2025, targeting bots that scrape sites for both search indexing and AI training, as part of efforts to reduce strain on web infrastructure and mitigate abuse.

Experts note that anti-bot systems, designed to block scams and hacks, can inadvertently flag AI agents, further limiting their functionality. Chris Canal, CEO of AI safety evaluator EquiStamp, says restrictions by major services reduce the perceived utility of AI agents, which promise to handle tasks across the web.