Luján, Blackburn Introduce Update To BOTS Act To Help FTC Combat Bots In Online Ticket Marketplace

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for (MAIN) Event Ticketing Act to strengthen enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016 and better protect consumers in the online ticket marketplace. 

“Fans of all genres face excessive price-gouging for tickets from online bots and resellers. Live entertainment is one of America’s greatest pastimes, and all Americans should be able to enjoy it without the fear of being scammed,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to join Senator Blackburn in introducing legislation to expand the BOTS Act. This bill will allow the FTC to enforce safeguards and set requirements to protect consumers from online ticketing schemes.”

“A fan should be able to buy tickets to live events without bots stealing them and hiking the price,” said Senator Blackburn. “We have given the FTC the tools they need to help reduce ticket costs and protect consumers and artists from scammers. Now we must ensure they are enforcing it. This bipartisan legislation builds upon my work to safeguard artists and their fans in the online ticket marketplace.”

“A great step in protecting artists and fans, the RIAA applauds Senator Blackburn and Lujan’s bipartisan MAIN Event Ticketing Act. This bill will strengthen the FTC’s authority in the long-running arms’ race against hackers, scalpers and bots, and we look forward to working with all parties to improve the landscape even further,” said RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. 

“The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) applauds Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Ben Ray Luján for introducing the MAIN Event Ticketing Act to further crackdown on ticket-buying bots that rob fans of the opportunity to see their favorite artists. The Act builds on the BOTS Act of 2016, which put in place foundational guidelines to prevent ticket resellers from engaging in predatory ticketing practices. We believe in restoring trust in the ticketing experience for fans, and we stand ready to work with Senators Blackburn and Luján to ensure this legislation advances as part of critical comprehensive ticketing reform,” said the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). 

• The MAIN Event Ticketing Act will build upon the BOTS Act by: 

• Creating reporting requirements whereby online ticket sellers have to report successful bot attacks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC);

• Creating a complaint database so consumers can also share their experiences with the FTC, which in turn is required to share the information with state attorneys general;

• Enacting data security requirements for online ticket sellers and requires the sharing of information between the FTC and law enforcement; and

• Requiring a report to Congress on BOTS enforcement. 

Click here for bill text.

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