(KRON) -- As artificial intelligence assistants like Meta's Muse app offer a means to automate everything from making dinner reservations to reminding you to pick up an anniversary gift, there is a growing backlash from existing institutions. Many major U.S. banks are already reportedly dealing with the "nightmare" of AI agents -- both authorized and unauthorized -- accessing customer accounts.
Now, one major U.S. airlines has come out and issued a ban on certain activity from AI agents.
United Airlines issued a statement this week announcing it has banned AI assistants from booking flights for customers. The airline said that it was aware that "there is excitement about the potential of third-party AI agents or assistants and how they might aid in making travel easier, personalized and convenient."
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"We also believe that innovation should move forward thoughtfully, with consideration of customer trust, privacy and security," the airline added.
United said that while customers are free to use third-party AI agents to research flights, it would no longer allow them to book flights, access customers' MileagePlus accounts, or buy add-ons.
"United is taking steps to restrict access -- directly within our digital platforms and indirectly via travel agencies and aggregators -- prohibiting use by unauthorized third-party AI agents or assistants," the company said. "While we see the significant possibilities they may have, we want to establish standardized, secure technology integrations with privacy, security, authorization and accountability protections in place."
As AI assistant apps like Muse become more prevalent, pushback is growing. Earlier this year, online retail giant Amazon announced it was blocking Muse on its platform, having already blocked ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Perplexity and Grok from its website.
