Luxury reseller RealReal locks out AI bots after inventory lockup issue
The company updated its security protocols to prevent automated agents from holding designer items in carts for extended periods, a tactic previously used to block human buyers.
By Layla Fontaine ·
The RealReal has updated its bot defense system to limit the ability of AI agents to shop on its platform. The move follows a report showing that automated programs could exploit the retailer's item reserve system to block human customers from purchasing designer goods.
The RealReal’s website places an item on hold for 20 minutes once a user adds it to their shopping cart. During that window, the product is unavailable to other buyers. Previous testing revealed that an AI agent could be instructed to continuously re-add listings to a cart as soon as the 20-minute hold expired. This action effectively kept items locked away from other shoppers for hours or longer.
Luke Friang, the company's chief technology officer, confirmed the fix in an email following the publication of the findings. He stated that the new bot defense configuration makes it much more difficult for agents to log in, add items to carts, and complete checkouts. While agents can still surface listings and direct users to product pages, the path to purchase has been tightened.
The update comes days after the issue was identified. Friang said the company would continue to strengthen its protections as AI-powered online shopping evolves. Meta, which developed the Muse agent used in the testing, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Meta has promoted Muse as a personalized assistant capable of purchasing items for users. On a recent earnings call, the company noted that shopping was the most common use case for Muse. Average purchases through the agent exceeded $200. The app reached 10 million users in the United States within 40 days of its release.
Other major retailers have already taken similar steps to protect their revenue streams. Amazon has blocked certain agents from shopping on its site, citing concerns over advertising revenue and the disconnect between brands and customers. The RealReal’s adjustment reflects a wider trend among companies adapting their digital infrastructure to accommodate automated shoppers.
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