1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The "Stop Al Price Gouging and Wage Fixing Act," introduced Wednesday by Reps. Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), is an effort to curb the growing trend of surveillance-based price setting, where companies use data from customers to determine how much they are willing to pay for a service. According to a recent report by the Federal Trade Commission, retailers frequently use people's personal information to set targeted, tailored prices for goods and services-from a person's location and demographics, down to their mouse movements on a webpage. The bill still allows companies to change prices for individuals based on certain circumstances. For example, they would still be allowed to offer discounts to certain groups like college students, veterans, and senior citizens or enact loyalty programs. Likewise, wage-earners would still be allowed to receive overtime pay or bonuses for good work or have their salaries changed to accommodate the cost of living. The bill instead targets companies that use underhanded and invasive tactics to take advantage of their customers' and employees' desperation. I urge you to support this legislation before It's too late.