Bill > SB615

This bill amends the Consumer Data Protection Act to prohibit companies, acting as data controllers or processors during consumer transactions, from setting or generating online prices based on specific device characteristics or location data. Under the legislation, businesses cannot determine a price using an online device's hardware, its "hardware state" (such as battery life, performance metrics, or temporary data that resets when restarted), the presence or absence of certain software on the device, or precise geolocation data used to make inferences about the consumer. To provide appropriate context, the bill defines an "online device" as a physical object capable of internet or short-range wireless communication, like a smartphone or laptop, and "precise geolocation data" as location information accurate within a radius of 1,750 feet. However, the bill includes several important exceptions, allowing price adjustments based on device data if the transaction involves device repairs or calculating a trade-in value. It also permits the use of geolocation data to reflect real-time local demand for immediate services or legitimate cost differences between physical locations, such as local taxes and duties, and protects traditional public discounts, coupons, and sales that are offered on equal terms to the general public.