Canty Backs Affordability Bill Protecting Consumers from Hidden Price Increases

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — Pervasive online price targeting of consumers using big data, or “surveillance pricing,” is steadily increasing the cost of living, and state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, has put her support behind a new measure to crack down on the practice and make life more affordable for her community.

“Shady tactics that big businesses use to squeeze every dollar they can from unsuspecting customers are driving up the cost of living,” Canty said. “From raising the price of baby clothes for consumers they know are new parents, to increasing the expenses of school supplies for college students, big companies are taking advantage of massive data sets and “surveillance pricing” to raise the cost of living at a time when people are already struggling. Cracking down on this deceptive practice is a commonsense step toward greater affordability for everyone.”

In a post-COVID world, people are spending more time and money online, which means they are sharing more personal information with private businesses. Canty is putting her support behind House Bill 4248, or the Algorithmic Pricing Transparency Act, which requires online businesses and retailers to disclose their algorithm-based pricing practices for goods and services. Consumers will then have the option to opt out of the practice and pay a baseline price. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of sensitive personal information, like race, religion and immigration status, to determine pricing.

“My goal is to build a more affordable life for as many people as I can,” Canty said. “I’m ready to fight for this vital change and protect every consumer from predatory pricing and online exploitation in the modern marketplace.”