Today, June 4, 2026, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed a surveillance pricing ban into law, making Connecticut the second state after Maryland to pass a law prohibiting businesses from using shoppers’ personal data to set individualized prices. Surveillance pricing is an unfair practice that hurts affordability, contributes to privacy harms, takes advantage of consumers at their most vulnerable, and can discriminate against people based on protected characteristics such as race.
Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, which includes crucial consumer protections including data minimization provisions and a private right of action. The bill also contains a ban on the sale of precise geolocation data and strong civil rights protections. EPIC applauds the Massachusetts House of … Continued
Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, which includes crucial consumer protections including data minimization provisions and a private right of action. The bill also contains a ban on the sale of precise geolocation data and strong civil rights protections. EPIC applauds the Massachusetts House of … Continued
The New York Legislature passed the One Fair Price Act on Thursday, making it the third state to pass a surveillance pricing ban after Maryland and Connecticut. The bill will soon advance to the desk of Gov. Kathy Hochul, and EPIC urges her to sign this important legislation.
On Tuesday, June 2, Colorado Governor Jared Polis vetoed HB 26-1210, a bill that would have protected Coloradans from surveillance pricing and wage setting. EPIC testified in favor of the bill because it would have provided Colorado residents with strong protections from surveillance pricing and wage-setting, where companies charge shoppers different prices for the same goods or pay workers different wages for the same work, all based on their personal data.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, EPIC Deputy Director and Policy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald testified before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce to explain the incalculable ways the GOP’s SECURE Data Act would harm U.S. consumers. Representatives on both sides of the aisle stressed that Americans feel powerless to protect their most sensitive data; we all know that something … Continued
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, EPIC Deputy Director and Policy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald testified before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce to explain the incalculable ways the GOP’s SECURE Data Act would harm U.S. consumers. Representatives on both sides of the aisle stressed that Americans feel powerless to protect their most sensitive data; we all know that something … Continued
In a letter sent on Monday, EPIC joined a coalition of civil society organizations calling on Congress to advance real, commonsense reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is set to expire next week.
On June 1, Florida filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company aggressively marketed ChatGPT as safe even as the chatbot gave users dangerous medical advice, helped users plan multiple killings, and offered instructions to children considering suicide.
The Illinois state legislature voted Monday to pass HB 5511, the Children’s Social Media Safety Act, which regulates harmful platform design like addictive feeds and overnight push notifications.
On Thursday, EPIC and Consumer Reports sent a letter to Vermont’s Senators urging them to vote against S. 71, a so-called “privacy” bill that in truthundermines established privacy protections for Vermonters.
On May 26, EPIC joined the National Consumer Law Center and several other consumer rights organizations in support of the FCC’s proposal to require a telemarketing provider to post a bond or equivalent security to register in the Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD).
“A new study suggests that major AI companies are adopting the same deceptive tactics long used by data brokers and other tech firms to keep users from opting out of the sale and sharing of their personal information.” “Major large language model (LLM) providers such as Google, Meta, and OpenAI, fail to clearly link their … Continued
“Several groups backed the request, including the Center for Digital Democracy, the Consumer Federation of America, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Institute for Families and Technology, The Anxious Generation Movement, Young People Alliance, and ParentsSOS.” Read more here.
“‘It’s promising that they don’t seem to be re-upping the contract immediately,’ said Maria Villegas Bravo, an attorney with the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center. ‘I’m always wary of vaguely worded non-association statements, though.’” Read more here.
On Thursday, EPIC submitted comments to the FTC in response to the agency’s joint public inquiry with the DOJ Antitrust Division, which sought guidance on antitrust concerns raised by collaboration among competitors. EPIC encouraged the agencies to prioritize data privacy, implement data minimization standards, provide robust protections against surveillance-driven personalized pricing, and underscore the crucial role of privacy in competition in any forthcoming guidance. Data is a … Continued
“More than 70 advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, warned Meta that adding facial recognition to Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses would create serious risks for abuse victims, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, protesters, workers, and others who rely on some degree of practical anonymity in public.” Read more here.
“Maria Villegas Bravo from the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center told NPR it was unclear to her based on Lyons’ letter whether HSI agents using spyware are getting a warrant and proving probable cause first.” “‘They should be — they’re legally required to because you have a Fourth Amendment protection in the content stored on … Continued
Washington, D.C. — Today, EPIC Scholar in Residence Justin Sherman and EPIC Counsel Caroline Kraczon released “Good Luck Opting Out: Manipulative Design Patterns in Opt-Out Processes.” The report found that the opt-out processes of many major online platforms—from social media platforms to data brokers to dating apps—use manipulative design patterns to make it more difficult for … Continued
On Wednesday, EPIC joined more than 40 civil society groups to urge the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to support an amendment that would ban the use of automatic license plate readers for any purpose other than tolling.
On Wednesday, EPIC joined child safety advocacy organizations including Fairplay and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation to urge the FTC to investigate Roblox for employing manipulative design features to exploit children.
“OpenAI Inc., Tinder, Palantir Technologies Inc., and more than thirty other digital companies make it difficult for users to control what happens to their personal data, a privacy advocate’s report found.” “The study, published Wednesday by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, found many online businesses created obstacles for consumers who want to exercise their privacy rights by … Continued
“Jeramie Scott, director of the national nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center’s surveillance oversight program, said growing concerns about government use of biometric identification systems stem in part from the technology’s rapid advancement. As a result, Scott said, the legal system is working to catch up.” “Scott said public safety concerns should be addressed without relying … Continued
“Some of the largest data-collecting companies in the United States—including major AI vendors, data brokers, defense contractors, and dating apps—rely on deceptive methods to keep consumers from opting out of the sale and sharing of their personal information, according to a new study from the digital rights nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center.” Read more here.
“Too many companies deny their customers true choice over the use of their personal data, EPIC Counsel Caroline Kraczon said in a statement. ‘For individuals facing heightened risks, including stalking, doxxing, or targeted harassment, these barriers can have serious real-world safety consequences,’ Kraczon said.” Read more here.
“Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) launched an investigation Wednesday into Meta’s AI glasses, citing privacy and data concerns. Sara Geoghegan, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), said the action was ‘encouraging’ given privacy concerns associated with the technology.” Read more here.
In response to CalPrivacy’s request for input on the state’s privacy policy requirements, EPIC submitted comments on Wednesday advising the Agency to ensure that policies are easily accessible, do not use dark patterns, and directly link to ways Californians can exercise their privacy rights.
Washington, D.C. — Today, EPIC Scholar in Residence Justin Sherman and EPIC Counsel Caroline Kraczon released “Good Luck Opting Out: Manipulative Design Patterns in Opt-Out Processes.” The report found that the opt-out processes of many major online platforms—from social media platforms to data brokers to dating apps—use manipulative design patterns to make it more difficult for … Continued
“Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, called the legislation ‘privacy bills in name only.’” “’They allow companies to continue collecting and using our personal data however they please, as long as they tell us what they’re doing in a privacy policy that no one reads. And even if they read it, … Continued
On Tuesday, EPIC and a bipartisan coalition of 55 U.S.-based civil society groups led by UltraViolet Action called on state attorneys general to take legal action against Apple and Google for platforming deepfake or “nudify” apps.
“‘ A lot of people in the retailer industry will say, ‘Hey, only regulate price increases through surveillance pricing because out of the goodness of our hearts, we want to use personalized algorithmic pricing just to lower prices for people,’’ Tom McBrien, a lawyer at Electronic Privacy Information Center, told Salon. ‘This is tricky because it … Continued
“The Electronic Privacy Information Center’s Sara Geoghegan said it’s ‘exciting to see’ that data minimization is an enforcement priority in California. There’s a difference between procedural data minimization, which requires minimal compliance effort, and strict adherence to substantive data minimization requirements, said the EPIC consumer privacy project director. This case highlights how GM’s data collection, … Continued
“’It’s a really clear example of a power asymmetry between individuals and big data companies,’ said Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington research group that aims to protect privacy. Read more here.
EPIC Counsel Suzanne Bernstein testified Thursday before the New Jersey Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee in support of a AB 4085, a bill that would protect New Jersey consumers from surveillance pricing.
On Thursday, EPIC and the National Consumers League, along with five other public interest groups, submitted comments to the FTC supporting its efforts to eliminate unfair and deceptive fees in its online food delivery services Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). The comments also urged the FTC to address harmful surveillance-driven pricing economy wide.
“Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit research and advocacy group, would like to see federal preemption establish a floor, rather than a ceiling, especially given the usual speed of congressional action on technology.” “’Technology changes so quickly,’ Fitzgerald said, adding that there may be a need to update laws … Continued
“Tom McBrien, a lawyer with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, an internet privacy nonprofit in Washington, said prices are not spontaneously changing on the shelf tags in accordance with algorithms. But retailers are investing a lot in surveillance pricing, he said, and in general, pricing practices are murky and can be hard to track.” Read … Continued
On May 13, EPIC and three other civil society organizations submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture strongly objecting to the agency’s proposal to disclose vast amounts of sensitive information to the Department of the Treasury.
“’Students really don’t choose the tech that they use in the classroom,’ said Sara Geoghegan, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center. ‘They’re not choosing these vendors. They don’t have any control here.’” Read more here.
In response to CalPrivacy’s request for input on the state’s data broker audit requirements for processing deletion requests, EPIC submitted comments on Thursday advising the agency on best practices.
On Wednesday, EPIC and the Center for Democracy & Technology submitted comments to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in response to its recent Notice of Intent to modify its System of Records.
Everyone, including leaders in Congress, agree that we need a federal privacy law in the United States. But a privacy law is only as good as the protections it offers.
“’It is very harmful that these tracking technologies are so embedded in these sites because people would expect this information to be private,’ said Sara Geoghegan, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, citing research that indicates people alter their behavior online when they know they’re being surveilled.” “The Federal Trade Commission and states can … Continued
“’Even if something will lead to evidence, that doesn’t mean we should trample on the privacy of everyday people that haven’t done anything wrong,’ Mayu Tobin-Miyaji of the Electronic Privacy Information Center said. ‘It can track people’s movements and law enforcement can access this data without any warrant or any suspicion of wrongdoing, just to … Continued
“The bill comes amid increasing resistance to dynamic pricing from states across the country, according to privacy advocates. Tom McBrien, counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit group, estimated that 33 states had introduced bills seeking to either ban some form of dynamic pricing or force companies to disclose their use of the … Continued
EPIC urged the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Tuesday to table H.R. 8312, 8463, and 8464, warning in a statement that the three bills present grave and unwarranted threats to the privacy and liberty of every American.
Many state bills do not focus on regulating tech companies’ harmful design practices but instead on blocking kids’ access to social media and other apps unless they get parental consent. This is not an effective way to protect kids online.