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politics

FTC Proposes New Enforcement Policy on Personalized Pricing

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 · 3 sources

The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a new enforcement policy on personalized pricing. The policy warns companies against hiding how personal data affects the prices shoppers see online.

The Federal Trade Commission has taken a step to increase transparency in online pricing. The FTC proposed a new enforcement policy on personalized pricing, which targets companies that use personal data to determine prices without disclosing this practice to consumers. This means that companies will be required to clearly inform shoppers if their personal data is being used to shape the prices they see online. The policy aims to prevent companies from hiding how personal data affects pricing. Companies that fail to comply with the policy may face enforcement action from the FTC. The proposed policy is part of the FTC's efforts to protect consumers and promote transparency in online commerce. The FTC is seeking public comment on the proposed policy before it is finalized. The commission's goal is to ensure that consumers have access to clear and accurate information about how their personal data is being used to determine prices online.

Go Deeper

What is personalized pricing?

Personalized pricing refers to the practice of using personal data to determine the prices that individual shoppers see online. This can include data such as browsing history, location, and purchase history.

Why is the FTC proposing this new policy?

The FTC is proposing this policy to increase transparency in online pricing and to prevent companies from hiding how personal data affects pricing. The goal is to ensure that consumers have access to clear and accurate information about how their personal data is being used.

How will the policy affect companies?

Companies that use personal data to determine prices will be required to clearly disclose this practice to consumers. Companies that fail to comply with the policy may face enforcement action from the FTC.

What kind of data is used for personalized pricing?

The data used for personalized pricing can include browsing history, location, purchase history, and other personal information. This data is often collected through cookies, tracking pixels, and other online tracking technologies.

How can consumers protect themselves from personalized pricing?

Consumers can protect themselves by being aware of how their personal data is being used and by taking steps to limit data collection, such as using privacy browsers and clearing cookies.