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Stopping Grinch Bots: Fair Online Product Access for Consumers

This act aims to ensure fair access to popular online products for all citizens by prohibiting the use of bots for mass purchasing. It protects consumers from inflated prices and product scarcity. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general will enforce these rules, providing greater protection for shoppers.
Key points
Prohibits using software to bypass purchasing limits and inventory controls on websites.
Bans selling products illegally obtained via bots if the seller knew of their origin.
The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can enforce violations, including fines and damages.
Exceptions for research and law enforcement activities that help identify security vulnerabilities.
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Status:
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_6837
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Process start date: 2023-12-14
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure, with full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source, always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_6837.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-12-14.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Prohibits using software to bypass purchasing limits and inventory controls on websites.
  • Bans selling products illegally obtained via bots if the seller knew of their origin.
  • The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can enforce violations, including fines and damages.
  • Exceptions for research and law enforcement activities that help identify security vulnerabilities.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-25.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know, that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Economy