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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress targets shopping bots that bypass online purchase limits and fuel resale markups

Also known as: Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(2)
Small Business Owner
Hurts
Gig Worker
Hurts

Key Points

  • Would make it illegal to bypass an online store’s security tools that enforce purchase limits or manage inventory.
  • Targets “bots” and similar tools used to buy up high-demand items fast and resell them, especially when stores post buying limits.
  • Also bans selling or offering to sell items obtained by bypassing those controls if the seller took part in it, could control it, or should have known.
  • Allows exceptions for security research and investigations meant to find weaknesses or help enforce the law.
  • Gives the Federal Trade Commission the main job of enforcing the rule, and lets state attorneys general sue for court orders, refunds, or other compensation.
Consumer ProtectionTechnology

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the law takes effect (if enacted)

Retailers more clearly post purchase limits and inventory rules on product pages

Because the law focuses on bypassing “posted” limits, shoppers may see clearer “limit 1 per customer” language and more visible checkout rules

Months after enactment, once cases are investigated

FTC starts bringing enforcement cases against bot circumvention and related resale

People running bots face a higher chance of being investigated and sued; shoppers may see fewer bot-driven instant sellouts over time

After enactment; timing varies by state and case

State attorneys general file consumer cases for residents harmed by bot activity

If your state chooses to act, residents could see refunds or other compensation in settlements, and bot operators could be forced to stop

Related News

2 articles
Consumer Reports (Advocacy)·3 months ago

Consumer Reports calls on Congress to approve the Stopping Grinch BOTS Act to protect consumers from the predatory use of “shopping bots”

Consumer Reports urges Congress to pass the Stopping Grinch Bots Act, arguing it would curb automated “shopping bots” that bypass inventory/purchase controls and drive up resale prices; highlights FTC and state AG enforcement.

CL+
Quiver Quant (CongressRadar)·3 months ago

Press Release: Tonko and Blumenthal Reintroduce Stopping Grinch Bots Act to Combat Holiday Scalping

Aggregated coverage of a congressional press release on reintroducing the Stopping Grinch Bots Act, describing a ban on tools that circumvent retailers’ posted purchase limits/inventory controls and related resale prohibitions.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6822
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.