Submitted on Tuesday 19th January 2021
Rejected on Wednesday 10th March 2021
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: duplicate (see below for details)
Criminalise the use of automated 'bot' software towards extorting shoppers.
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.
You can't sign this petition because it was rejected. But you can still comment on it here at Repetition.me!
The Government e-Petitions Team gave the following reason:
There's already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.
You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.
You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/570971
18.118.122.46 Sun, 19 May 2024 13:15:41 +0100
