hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Bans stores from using personal data to set individual grocery prices.
Rep. Pappas
Introduced in the House, referred to committees.
This bill makes it illegal for stores to use automated systems and personal information (like your shopping habits or location data) to set different prices for food and groceries for individual customers. It was introduced by Representative Pappas and has been sent to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee for review, meaning it's in the very early stages of becoming a law.
Introduced Apr 9, 2026
The bill is currently in the committee stage, having been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. Before it can move forward, these committees might hold hearings, discuss, and potentially amend the bill. If it passes out of committee, it would then be considered for a vote by the full House of Representatives.
If this bill becomes law, grocery stores would generally charge the same price for an item to everyone, rather than adjusting prices based on your personal data. While loyalty programs could still offer discounts, stores would need to clearly disclose how these programs work and how your data is used, preventing its use for secret individualized pricing. Additionally, if you believe a store illegally used your personal information to set a unique price for you, you could file a lawsuit and potentially receive a minimum of $3,000 per violation.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue this bill protects consumers from unfair pricing and boosts transparency in grocery shopping.
Critics Say
Critics might argue it limits businesses' ability to innovate or offer competitive, personalized deals to customers.
Those in favor of the bill would highlight its role in ensuring all consumers pay fair prices, preventing hidden fees, and safeguarding personal data privacy in an era of advanced data analytics. They would emphasize that it ensures pricing is based on costs, not on individual profiling. On the other hand, opponents could suggest that by restricting algorithmic pricing, the bill might hinder businesses from optimizing their operations, managing inventory efficiently, or offering customized promotions that could benefit certain customer segments.