US States Ban AI‑Driven Personalized Pricing in Retail

Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey have enacted legislation that prohibits retailers and third‑party delivery platforms from using algorithms to set individualized prices for consumers, a practice known as surveillance pricing. Maryland’s Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore on 28 April 2026, takes effect on 1 October 2026 and targets food retailers and delivery services. Connecticut and New Jersey have passed similar statutes that restrict the use of personal data—such as browsing history, location, past purchases, inferred income and other consumer characteristics—to estimate willingness to pay and display different prices for the same product.

New York already has a transparency law in place since 2025 and a stronger proposal is pending approval by the state legislature, while municipal initiatives are under discussion in New York City and a withdrawn attempt was noted in Nashville‑Davidson County.