By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and state leaders announced on Jan. 20 proposed legislation aimed at protecting Marylanders from invasive data practices and unpredictable grocery price spikes. The announcement was made at BD Provisions Severna Park, a zero-waste bulk food store founded in 2018.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor Maryland
The proposed “Protection from Predatory Pricing Act of 2026” would require grocery stores to keep prices fixed for at least one business day and prohibit the use of surveillance data and automated systems to set individualized prices.
This initiative could have a sizable impact on Black Marylanders living in food deserts, particularly in Baltimore, where 30 percent of households do not own a car and often rely on the nearest grocery store. Residents in these areas are more likely to face higher prices, limited options and reduced access to healthy food.
According to a 2025 Johns Hopkins survey of 1,271 Baltimore-area residents, Black Baltimoreans experienced food insecurity at higher rates than their White counterparts. In 2025, about 58 percent of Black Baltimore residents were food insecure, up from 38 percent in 2024 and 54 percent in 2023.
“Technology should work for working families,” said Moore. “It should not work against working families.”
The proposed legislation, if passed, would classify violations as a deceptive trade practice under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. The Office of the Attorney General would enforce the law, with civil penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense and up to $25,000 for subsequent offenses.
Moore said major grocery stores are increasingly using technology to collect personal data on Maryland consumers to implement individualized pricing. The governor explained that this is done through digital price tags, aisle cameras and sensors tracking customers. Algorithms analyze the data to charge individuals the most they might pay.
While electronic price tags streamline operations, Moore said they have enabled “dynamic pricing,” where household goods can surge in price based on time, weather or consumer habits.
“Prices can change constantly by the hour, by the minute and even by the second, based on where you are and where you shop,” he said.
Senate President William “Bill” Ferguson (D-Md.-46) called the initiative a step toward fair competition, calling what is currently happening a “failed marketplace.”
“What we’re saying here, in the State of Maryland is that what we support is fair competition, where buyers and sellers have accurate information so that they can make discerning choices about what is best for their families, and competition can draw down prices in a fair way,” said Ferguson.
House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Md.-21) echoed that this legislation is about basic fairness.
“Every month people are making decisions on whether they buy their groceries or whether they buy their medication,” she said. “This is simply the right thing to do.”
Ferguson stated that under his and Speaker Peña-Melnyk’s leadership, the General Assembly this session will be focusing on what matters, which is making Maryland more affordable.