Bill · S. 3516· Senate(119-S-3516)
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/17/2025
- Last activity
- 12/17/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025. It makes it illegal for anyone to bypass security measures or access controls on internet websites that are used to enforce purchasing limits or manage inventory. The bill also prohibits selling or offering to sell products or services that were obtained by bypassing these online security measures, provided the seller participated in the act or knew it happened. There are specific exceptions included for investigating violations, enforcing the law, or conducting computer security research. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general are given the power to enforce these rules and bring civil actions against violators.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+7
The legislation enhances consumer protection by prohibiting the circumvention of online access controls to ensure fair purchasing access.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+4
Ensures middle-class consumers can purchase popular products at standard retail prices.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Protects legitimate online retailers and businesses from unfair automated inventory depletion.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fair Access to Products: Under Section 2(a)(1)(A), it is unlawful to bypass security measures used by internet retailers to enforce purchasing limits or manage inventory. This could be considered positive because it helps ensure everyday consumers have fair access to buy products online without automated systems buying everything up first.
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Protection for Consumers: Under Section 2(c)(1), state attorneys general are authorized to bring civil actions on behalf of state residents to obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation. This is positive because it holds bad actors accountable and provides a way for everyday people to get justice or compensation if they are harmed by these illegal purchasing practices.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Legal Restrictions on Research: Under Section 2(a)(2), exceptions are made for software used to investigate violations or conduct computer security research, but the bill strictly limits this to advancing security knowledge or developing security products. This might be seen as burdensome or restrictive by developers, researchers, or everyday people who create software outside of these exact definitions, as they could face legal scrutiny or penalties under the rules set by the Federal Trade Commission.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Children+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Low Income Households+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7Improves Small Business Support+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Interstate Commerce+4Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+3
- 12/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
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.