Maryland bans surveillance pricing in grocery stores from October 2026

7 articles · Updated · Fox News · Apr 27

Governor Wes Moore will sign the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act, making Maryland the first U.S. state to prohibit retailers from using personal data to set grocery prices.
The law requires prices to remain fixed for at least one business day and bans price-setting based on shopper data, income, or ethnicity, though loyalty programs and promotions remain exempt.
Other states, including California and Illinois, are considering similar legislation, while critics argue Maryland's law has loopholes and limited enforcement, with only the Attorney General able to pursue violations.

Maryland's new law targets your personal price, but can it stop algorithms from raising prices for everyone?

With states creating a patchwork of pricing laws, is a national ban on surveillance pricing inevitable?

New York requires a warning if an algorithm sets your price. Is transparency better than an outright ban?

Are loyalty cards the new loophole for stores to charge you more for groceries?

Your grocery store's new digital price tags can change instantly. Is this for convenience or to charge you more?