Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025

Ban on bots and resale enforcement

If enacted, the bill would make it illegal to bypass website or online service controls that enforce posted buying limits or manage inventory. It would ban selling items across state lines that were obtained by such bypassing when the seller helped, controlled, or knew (or should have known) the item was obtained that way. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the rule as an unfair or deceptive practice and could use its normal powers and penalties. State attorneys general could sue on behalf of residents but must notify the FTC in writing at least 10 days before suing (or tell the FTC right away if 10 days is not feasible); the FTC could intervene and, if it sues first, a State generally could not sue the same named defendants while the FTC action is pending. The bill would exempt certain security research and official investigations: making or using software to investigate violations or to study security flaws would be allowed if done to advance computer security knowledge or to help develop security products.