Gov. Mikie Sherrill holds a press conference before signing a bill at Our Community Grocery Store in Newark that prohibits retailers from using consumers’ personal data to charge different prices for the same basic items.
New Jersey shoppers will have new protections starting next summer against grocery stores using their personal data to charge them different prices.
The law, called the Fair Price Protection Act, prohibits grocery stores from using shoppers’ digital history, biometric information, or genetic data to tailor prices based on what algorithms predict each customer is willing to pay.
Unlike traditional sales or loyalty discounts, surveillance pricing uses your personal data to estimate the highest price you’re willing to pay, rather than offering everyone the same price.
“Surveillance pricing weaponizes your data against you,” Sherrill said during a bill signing at Our Community Grocery Store in Newark.
Supporters say the law will help protect consumers as grocery prices remain elevated after the sharp increases that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Jersey Vindicator is funded by readers who believe New Jersey needs tough, independent reporting that serves the public. »