S 9934 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to prohibiting the use of stealth crawlers

Summary

Prohibits the deployment of a stealth crawler in a manner that would damage, impair or burden the operation of a covered news source or otherwise cause a news source economic harm.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Assembly Passage

Jun 2026

Governor

Introduced Apr 16, 2026 Last action Jun 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S9934 → S9934A · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended after committee review to broaden its scope from just print and digital media to include television, radio, and broadcast networks. The definition of a 'stealth crawler' was updated to reference the new disclosure requirements directly, and enforcement powers were shifted from private lawsuits by news organizations to actions brought by the Attorney General with specific civil penalties.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to cover traditional broadcast media (TV, radio, cable, satellite) in addition to digital and print publications, and the definition of 'news site' was changed to 'news source' to reflect this broader inclusion.

SCOPE

Expanded the definition of covered media to include television, radio, and broadcast networks, not just print and digital publications.

DEFINITION

Changed the term 'news site' to 'news source' and updated the definition of 'journalism provider' to own these broader sources.

Replaced the detailed prohibition definition with a reference to Section 1752, which now mandates disclosure of identity and purpose before access.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaced private cause of action for news organizations with a mechanism allowing the Attorney General to sue violators and impose civil penalties of up to $15,000 per day.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the user threshold from 'active users or subscribers' to 'active viewers, listeners, users or subscribers' to align with the expanded media scope.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 2, 2026 · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

How they voted

60–1

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 63

Jun 2, 2026

D Democratic41

39 Yea 2

95% Yea

R Republican22

21 Yea 1 Nay

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED ASSEMBLY

lower

Jun 2, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CODES

lower

Jun 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

May 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 9934A

upper

May 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors