Story perspectives

Maryland first state to ban surveillance pricing, $25k fines

4/29/2026

Summary

Moore Bans Pricing

Gov. Wes Moore signed the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act on April 29 2026, making Maryland the first to ban surveillance pricing.
Effective Oct 1 2026, the law bars grocers or delivery services from using shoppers’ data for prices and imposes fines $25,000, with enforcement solely by the attorney general.
Consumer Reports warned enforcement is weak after its investigation showed price gaps of up to 23 %, prompting Instacart to stop using variable-pricing technology.

Summary

Moore Signs Reforms

Governor Wes Moore signed 200 bills on April 28, 2026, linking the pricing act to foster-care reforms.
The Maryland Voting Rights Act lets the attorney general counsel racial-gerrymandering lawsuits.
Delegate Mike Griffith invoked Kanaiyah’s Law, after a 2025 overdose, to ban foster placements in unlicensed hotels as the department stops housing children in such facilities.
Legislation provided $1.2 billion for licensed group homes and capped pediatric stays at 48 hours after medical clearance.

History

Historical Context

After the EU’s GDPR took effect on 25 May 2018—imposing fines up to €20 million or 4 % of global revenue—big-tech firms such as Amazon, Facebook and Google overhauled consent and pricing practices. The “Brussels effect” spurred Maryland’s 2026 Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, which bans dynamic pricing using shopper data and targets a 23 % price gap uncovered by Consumer Reports.

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Moore Bans Pricing

Gov. Wes Moore signed the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act on April 29 2026, making Maryland the first to ban surveillance pricing.
Effective Oct 1 2026, the law bars grocers or delivery services from using shoppers’ data for prices and imposes fines $25,000, with enforcement solely by the attorney general.
Consumer Reports warned enforcement is weak after its investigation showed price gaps of up to 23 %, prompting Instacart to stop using variable-pricing technology.

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