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119-s-3516119th CongressWALLET

Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

Prevents bots and tools that bypass online purchase limits and inventory controls. The bill would make it illegal to defeat website security or access controls that enforce posted buying limits or manage stock, and it would bar selling items obtained through that kind of circumvention while allowing limited security research.

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  • Online shoppers: Posted purchasing limits and inventory rules on websites would be protected by a federal prohibition on circumventing the technical controls that enforce them.
  • Retailers and marketplaces: The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the prohibition by treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act, giving businesses a federal enforcement route.
  • Sellers and resellers: It would be unlawful to sell products obtained by bypassing these controls when the seller participated in, controlled, or knew about the circumvention.
  • Security researchers: A narrow exception permits creating or using software to investigate, enforce, or research vulnerabilities if the work advances security knowledge or helps develop security products.
  • State enforcers: State attorneys general and other state consumer protection officers may sue to stop violations and seek damages or restitution, but they must notify the FTC within 10 days and the FTC may intervene.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on bots that bypass limits

If enacted, this would make it illegal to bypass website security or access controls that enforce posted purchase limits or manage inventory. You would not be allowed to use bots or other software to get around those limits. Selling items obtained by breaking these rules would be unlawful if the seller helped, could control the conduct, or knew or should have known the items were acquired in violation. There would be a narrow exception for security research or tools used to investigate, enforce, or defend against abuse. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce these rules as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act.

State enforcement for illegal bots

If enacted, state attorneys general would be able to sue on behalf of residents to stop violations, force compliance, and seek damages or restitution for these unlawful bot or circumvention practices. The state attorney general would need to notify the Federal Trade Commission in writing at least 10 days before filing and include a copy of the complaint, unless prior notice is not feasible (then notice must be immediate). The FTC could intervene, be heard, and seek appeal, and a state could not bring a parens patriae suit against defendants named in a pending FTC complaint. Other state consumer protection officers could sue under the same rules if their state authorizes them.

Defines 'posted' and the Commission

If enacted, this would define "Commission" to mean the Federal Trade Commission. It would also define "posted" to mean clearly and conspicuously published on an internet website. These definitions would guide who enforces the rules and when a website notice counts as posted.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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