S. 3516 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Dec 17, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBans bots that bypass online purchase limits
This bill makes it illegal to use bots or other tools to get around the security measures that websites put in place to limit how much people can buy or manage their inventory. It also makes it illegal to sell products or services that were obtained by breaking these rules. The Federal Trade Commission and state officials would be responsible for enforcing the law.
How it affects you
If you shop online, this could mean a fairer chance of buying in-demand items during peak seasons, since bots won't be able to scoop up inventory before regular customers. It primarily affects people who use online retailers and resellers, though the direct legal obligations fall on websites and the businesses that operate or sell bots designed to circumvent purchase limits.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Dec 17, 2025)
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025
This bill makes it unlawful to use tools such as bots to circumvent a website's security or control measures related to purchasing limits or inventory management.
Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful to circumvent a security measure, access control system, or other technological control or measure that a website or online service uses to enforce posted purchasing limits or manage inventory.
The bill also prohibits the sale of certain products or services obtained through such a violation.
The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general or other authorized state officers.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 3516
A BILL
Stopping Grinch Bots Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) · Introduced Dec 17, 2025 · Commerce · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 17, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”