Maryland becomes first state to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores
Source: The Guardian
Maryland becomes first state to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores
Critics say Maryland’s new law banning rapidly change product costs based on consumer data is full of carveouts
Sanya Mansoor
Wed 29 Apr 2026 23.43 BST
First published on Wed 29 Apr 2026 16.05 BST
Maryland has become the first state in the US to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores.
Maryland’s law bans grocers and third-party delivery services from using a person’s personal data to set higher prices. Wes Moore, the governor, signed the measure into law on Tuesday. “At a time when technology can predict what we need, when we need it, when we’ll pay for it and also – when we’ll pay more for it, and at a time when we’re watching how big companies are then using these analytics against us to make record profits, Maryland is not just pushing back. Maryland is pushing forward because we are going to protect our people,” Moore said at the bill signing ceremony.
When engaging in surveillance pricing, stores rapidly change the cost of products based on consumer data, including their location, internet search history and demographics. That means buyers are paying different prices for the same items purchased around the same time. Critics of this method – also known as dynamic pricing – say that in doing so, businesses are effectively charging each person the most that they’re willing to pay.
While Maryland’s new law focuses on grocery stores, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has documented examples of surveillance pricing in stores selling clothing, beauty products, home goods and hardware. Consumer groups note there is an added urgency when it comes to grocery stores, though, given that they affect Americans’ ability to access affordable food.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/29/maryland-grocery-stores-ban-surveillance-pricing