Bill · H.R. 6822· House(119-HR-6822)
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/17/2025
- Last activity
- 12/17/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Paul Tonko
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025" aims to stop people from bypassing security measures used by online retailers to enforce purchasing limits or manage inventory. It makes it illegal to circumvent technological controls on websites or to sell products obtained by breaking those rules. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with enforcing these rules, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices. Additionally, State attorneys general are empowered to bring civil actions to protect their residents. The bill includes exceptions for software used for security research or investigating violations.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+6
The bill protects consumers from bots that circumvent purchasing limits to deplete inventory.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+3
Preventing bots from exhausting inventory may allow more low-income consumers access to essential goods.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+2
The bill includes exceptions to protect security researchers identifying vulnerabilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of purchasing limits: The bill prohibits circumventing security measures used to enforce posted purchasing limits or manage inventory (Section 2(a)(1)(A)). This could help ensure that products are available to more people rather than being exhausted by those using circumvention methods.
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Regulation of unauthorized sales: It is illegal to sell products obtained by bypassing online access controls if the seller participated in or knew the product was acquired that way (Section 2(a)(1)(B)). This provides a way to target those profiting from bypassed retail limits.
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Support for security research: The act allows for the use of software to research vulnerabilities to advance computer system security or assist in developing security products (Section 2(a)(2)(B)). This ensures that people working to make the internet more secure are not punished for their research.
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State-level legal recourse: State attorneys general can bring civil actions to seek damages, restitution, or compensation for residents whose interests are affected by these violations (Section 2(c)(1)). This gives states a tool to protect their citizens from these practices.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on certain sales activities: Individuals who sell products that were acquired by circumventing website controls could be held liable if they had control over the conduct or knew the product was obtained that way (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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Strict enforcement by the FTC: Violations of this act are treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices, subjecting violators to the penalties and powers of the Federal Trade Commission (Section 2(b)(1) and (2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Urban Residents+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- 12/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.