Legis Daily

Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6822| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2025
Paul Tonko

Paul Tonko

Democratic Representative

New York

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation establishes prohibitions against circumventing online retail control measures designed to manage inventory and enforce purchasing limits. Specifically, it makes it unlawful for any person to use security measure bypasses, access control systems, or other technological means to circumvent these controls on internet websites or online services. The bill also prohibits the sale or offer for sale of any product or service obtained in violation of these circumvention prohibitions, particularly if the seller participated directly, had control over the conduct, or knew or should have known the product was acquired illicitly. The bill includes an exception for activities related to investigating or enforcing violations of this section, as well as for legitimate security research aimed at identifying flaws and vulnerabilities to advance computer system security or develop security products. Violations of these provisions are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is granted authority to enforce this section, utilizing its existing powers, jurisdiction, and duties as outlined in the FTC Act. Furthermore, the legislation empowers State attorneys general to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents as parens patriae. These actions can seek injunctions against further violations, compel compliance, and obtain damages or restitution for affected consumers. States are generally required to notify the FTC before initiating such actions, and the FTC retains the right to intervene in any State-led civil action. However, if the FTC has already initiated its own civil or administrative action regarding a violation, a State attorney general may not bring a parallel action against the same defendant for that specific violation.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6096
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6837
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5263
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2019
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3516
Introduced in Senate
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6096
    Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6837
    Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5263
    Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2019


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3516
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6822| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2025
This legislation establishes prohibitions against circumventing online retail control measures designed to manage inventory and enforce purchasing limits. Specifically, it makes it unlawful for any person to use security measure bypasses, access control systems, or other technological means to circumvent these controls on internet websites or online services. The bill also prohibits the sale or offer for sale of any product or service obtained in violation of these circumvention prohibitions, particularly if the seller participated directly, had control over the conduct, or knew or should have known the product was acquired illicitly. The bill includes an exception for activities related to investigating or enforcing violations of this section, as well as for legitimate security research aimed at identifying flaws and vulnerabilities to advance computer system security or develop security products. Violations of these provisions are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is granted authority to enforce this section, utilizing its existing powers, jurisdiction, and duties as outlined in the FTC Act. Furthermore, the legislation empowers State attorneys general to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents as parens patriae. These actions can seek injunctions against further violations, compel compliance, and obtain damages or restitution for affected consumers. States are generally required to notify the FTC before initiating such actions, and the FTC retains the right to intervene in any State-led civil action. However, if the FTC has already initiated its own civil or administrative action regarding a violation, a State attorney general may not bring a parallel action against the same defendant for that specific violation.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6096
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6837
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5263
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2019
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3516
Introduced in Senate
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6096
    Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6837
    Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5263
    Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2019


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3516
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Paul Tonko

Paul Tonko

Democratic Representative

New York

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted