California Legislature Advances Bill to Ban Surveillance Pricing, Impacting Retail Practices
The California Assembly has advanced a bill, Assembly Bill 2564, aimed at banning surveillance pricing, a practice where retailers use personal data to set prices. This legislation, which still requires approval from the full Assembly and Senate, seeks to prevent retailers from altering prices based on consumer information such as age, gender, or location. The bill is part of a broader movement, with similar bans recently enacted in Maryland, Colorado, and Connecticut. Surveillance pricing has been criticized for disproportionately affecting low-income individuals, as it can lead to higher costs for essential goods. The bill's author, Assemblymember Chris Ward, emphasizes the need to protect consumers from being charged higher prices based on personal data. Business groups, however, argue that the bill could complicate operations and increase costs. 
