S8483C

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Ryan to prohibit online retailers from using device-specific data to manipulate prices without consumer knowledge. The bill, Senate Print 8483C (Calendar No. 1007), passed on a 59-1 roll call vote, with only Sen. Walczyk voting in opposition. The measure addresses what Sen. Ryan called a "deeply hidden" practice in which companies use information such as phone type, software, and battery level to determine prices, potentially charging different amounts to different consumers for identical products. "Consumers more often than not are completely unaware that this is happening," Ryan said. The bill takes effect 180 days after becoming law and preserves what Ryan characterized as "legitimate and transparent pricing practices" relied upon by businesses. Sen. Martins also supported the measure but used his floor statement to broaden the affordability discussion, noting that the state budget has increased by $100 billion over the past eight years, resulting in families of four paying approximately $20,000 more annually due to state spending decisions.