The RealReal has updated its bot defense system to restrict AI agents from shopping on its platform. This decision follows reports that users could leverage Meta’s Muse AI to exploit the site’s item reserve feature. Previously, an agent could repeatedly add items to a cart, keeping them on hold for 20 minutes at a time and preventing other customers from making purchases.
CTO Luke Friang confirmed that the company has implemented new configurations to make it significantly harder for automated agents to log in, add items to carts, or complete checkouts. While agents can still display product listings and direct users to specific pages, the company intends to continue strengthening these protections as AI shopping capabilities evolve.
Meta recently reported that shopping is the most common use case for its Muse AI, with average purchases exceeding $200. The application has seen significant adoption, reaching 10 million downloads in the US within 40 days of its launch. As AI agents become more prevalent, retailers are increasingly taking steps to block automated access to their platforms to protect their operations.
