Jan Curn

Congress is considering a bill that could make useful AI agents harder to build and use, without making malicious ones easier to stop. The Stealth Bot Prohibition Act (H.R. 9915) targets bots that don’t disclose their identity and purpose, and can "burden a website’s technical or commercial operation." It also prohibits intentionally disguising bots as human users. Preventing fraud and abuse is a goal we share, but this bill as written is too broad and unspecific. I believe as written it will have unintended negative consequences. For example: an agent comparing prices might benefit a consumer while challenging a merchant’s business model. A research assistant might not know every eventual use of a page before opening it. And requiring disclosure of an agent’s purpose could expose sensitive information about the person using it, such as someone looking for private medical advice. Developers would have to navigate that uncertainty with a threat of substantial penalties. Large companies can absorb legal and compliance costs, but small teams and startups may abandon useful products, leaving people with fewer choices and less market innovation. Congress should give the market more time to develop. Any legislation in this area needs to address demonstrated harms, with clear evidence it will improve outcomes. We must protect users while also preserving their ability to benefit from the enormous productivity improvements of AI. I’m urging Congress not to advance H.R. 9915. My full letter below: