New agents.txt file found on DreamHost

4 hours ago

DreamHost automatically added an agents.txt file to the root of existing websites, similar to default files like robots.txt.
The file contains directives to discourage LLM training, allow retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and block access to sensitive directories.
The implementation is based on a proposal later renamed to agent-manifest.txt, but DreamHost used outdated syntax and rolled it out retroactively without notice.
While the defaults are sensible for new sites, the unannounced update and incomplete implementation are criticized as problematic.

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