Walmart’s new rules for AI shopping agents make customer approval the default. Shoppers will be able to authorize spending within a limit they choose, though Walmart says it may still require additional approval for purchases below that limit.
The controls are part of Walmart’s October 21 announcement, which introduces Agent Profiles, an Agent Gateway and operating terms for third-party agents shopping at Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Walmart has published its expectations for agents, with the services to follow in stages. Agent Profiles are scheduled to launch “in the next month,” pointing to November 2026, while the Gateway will begin as a beta for companies and developers. The announcement outlines a route toward authorized agent shopping; it does not mean every AI assistant can check out through a broadly available service today.
Agent Profiles Are Scheduled for November
Agent Profiles will give each authorized agent a dedicated profile inside a customer’s account, separating its purchases from those made directly by the shopper.
For customers using more than one assistant, the profiles will also identify which agent initiated each purchase. A shared account can show what was bought without making that clear. Walmart’s proposed profiles add attribution alongside permissions the customer can manage.
The company describes the setup process this way:
- Start in the agent’s app. The first time an agent shops through the Walmart Agent Gateway, Walmart automatically creates an Agent Profile for it.
- Connect the profile to Walmart. The customer signs into Walmart to authorize and link the profile. Walmart says only Walmart sees that sign-in.
- Choose the controls. The customer sets purchasing permissions, can view purchases associated with each agent and can delete an Agent Profile at any time.
Deleting the profile turns off that agent’s access. Walmart has not given an exact November launch date, so the timing remains a rollout window.
A paid membership is not a stated prerequisite. TechCrunch reports that agent support will be available to customers with a Walmart account without requiring Walmart+ membership. That eligibility does not mean the upcoming profiles are available immediately or that customers will have access through every agent app.
