Artificial Intelligence

Seattle's 'Surveillance Pricing' Ban Is a Solution Searching for a Problem

The city's ordinance targets price gouging that its own evidence doesn't show—and it could kill discounts that save shoppers money.

Josh Pauzé | 9.29.2026 1:46 PM

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Seattle recently passed the Fair Pricing and Transparency Ordinance, which prevents large online and brick‑and‑mortar grocery retailers from using consumers' "behavior, location, demographic characteristics, biometric data, or other personal information" to offer consumers distinct prices. The city's announcement touts protections against price manipulation based on social media activity and chatbot conversations.

The ordinance includes carveouts for certain discounts but still prohibits discounts tailored to an individual shopper. Seattle's ban follows similar proposals in Maryland, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Supporters of the law stress affordability, fairness, and privacy, framing it as a check on big grocery chains profiting from customers' data. In the announcement, City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck stated, "Groceries are getting more expensive for everyday Seattleites, while the........

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