On January 22, 2026, eBay announced a significant update to its User Agreement, which explicitly prohibits the use of third-party AI shopping agents, including 'buy for me' AI tools and chatbots, from accessing its platform without prior permission. This policy change will take effect on February 20, 2026. The prohibition marks a departure from eBay's previous general restriction against automated systems, as it now directly addresses the rise of AI agents involved in what is being referred to as 'agentic commerce.' This term relates to a new category of AI tools that can autonomously browse, compare, and complete transactions on behalf of users. The change reflects eBay's recognition of the increasing prevalence of such AI-driven tools, which have emerged from advancements in technology over the past few years. While eBay has previously had limits on robots and automated data gathering, the updated agreement specifies that users must not utilize 'buy-for-me agents' or any technology that attempts to bypass human review in transaction processes. This shift is particularly relevant as it coincides with other industry developments, such as Amazon's AI-powered 'Buy For Me' feature and Google's new Universal Commerce Protocol, which underscores the competitive landscape in online retail. The introduction of strict guidelines by eBay is indicative of broader industry concerns regarding the impact of AI on commerce. eBay's leaders have emphasized the need for control and oversight in transactions facilitated by AI to safeguard the interests of human users. Despite these restrictions, eBay has not eliminated the possibility of developing its own AI shopping solutions. The company has expressed interest in exploring partnerships with AI firms, maintaining the potential for ‘agentic experiences’ that would adhere to its guidelines and policies. This updated policy narrows eBay's previous restrictions and aims to set a clearer framework for how AI technologies can interact with its platform. The company had already made changes to its robots.txt file, establishing guidelines that prevent specific automated entities from scraping its site, while still allowing certain bots like Google’s shopping bot to operate. As the trend towards AI in commerce accelerates, eBay is positioning itself to adapt to and govern the evolving relationship between technology and online shopping practices, while also keeping the door open for future collaboration on legitimate AI services.