Attorney General Letitia James and Bronx electeds rally in the Bronx against surveillance pricing - Bronx Times

"Attorney General Letitia James led a rally against surveillance pricing on May 8 at the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center in Soundview, calling on the legislature to pass bills that would ban what she called "predatory" business practices. James, joined by Bronx elected officials, union workers and community groups, called on the legislature to ban the practice in New York State by passing two bills collectively known as the One Fair Price package."

"Surveillance pricing -or what retailers often call "dynamic" pricing- occurs when businesses use algorithms to analyze customers' data and adjust prices. Under this system, prices for the same item may change based on demand, how long the customer spends looking at the item, or other factors that tip the scales in favor of companies' profits, according to James. She specified that store loyalty programs, promotions and senior discounts, for instance, would not be affected by the proposed ban."

"But surveillance pricing systems can cost customers up to $1,000 per year as they buy items that vary in price by as much as 23%, according to research cited by her office. "We cannot allow big corporations to squeeze our families for every last penny," James said during the rally. "New Yorkers are struggling as it is.""

"Also attending were Council Members Amanda Faras and Justin Sanchez, Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and Assembly Member Emerita Torres, who joined Senator Rachel May to sponsor the One Fair Price Act to ban surveillance pricing in the state and grant the attorney general enforcement powers. A companion bill, the Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Discriminatory Pricing Act , would prohibit grocery stores and pharmacies"

Attorney General Letitia James led a rally in Soundview against surveillance pricing, also called dynamic pricing. The event urged the New York legislature to pass the One Fair Price package to ban predatory business practices. Surveillance pricing uses algorithms to analyze customer data and adjust prices based on factors such as demand and how long customers spend looking at items. James said the proposal would not affect store loyalty programs, promotions, or senior discounts. Research cited by her office estimated the practice can cost customers up to $1,000 per year, with prices for the same item varying by as much as 23%. The One Fair Price Act would ban the practice and grant enforcement powers to the attorney general, alongside a companion bill targeting grocery stores and pharmacies.

Read at Bronx Times