EPIC Supports California Bill that Would Prohibit Surveillance Pricing 

EPIC joined Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Federation of America, and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse in a letter to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee of the California State Assembly expressing support for A.B. 446, a bill that would protect consumers from discriminatory pricing based on data amassed about them, a practice known as “surveillance pricing.”

Retailers use surveillance pricing to tailor prices based on personal information collected about consumers, infringing on consumer privacy and leading to unfair and discriminatory pricing. The bill seeks to bar companies from using race, religion, residence, sexuality, political interests, web browsing and purchase history, financial circumstances, and consumer behaviors in setting prices.

EPIC has recently analyzed Kroger’s surveillance pricing tactics and its negative impact on consumer privacy and increasing grocery prices. EPIC has long advocated for consumer privacy in California and nationally.