Criminalise the use of automated 'bot' software towards extorting shoppers.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

The government should introduce legislation requiring retailers to introduce anti-bot software on their e-commerce websites.

The government should also consider prosecuting those who mark up and re-sell sought-after items acquired with bots, on grounds of extortion and/or tax evasion.

A 'bot' is an easy-to-acquire and easy-to-use piece of software that allows users to navigate online checkouts many times faster than humans. Unlike people, bots can also tirelessly refresh product web pages 24/7 to make sure it is the first in line when a sought-after item becomes available.

This leaves honest tax-paying shoppers empty handed - or worse, obliged to pay multiples of the item's RRP - while unscrupulous and tax-avoiding scalpers reap a profit, and gloat online.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action: Ban the use of bots for all online purchase

Timeline

19 Jan 2021	Petition opened for signatures
10 Mar 2021	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 10 Mar 2021

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