Colorado House Bill HB1264

Colorado 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/25
• Refer: 2/18/25

Caption

Prohibit Surveillance Data to Set Prices and Wages

Impact

If enacted, HB 1264 would significantly impact existing state consumer protection laws. The bill establishes a clear legal framework that defines surveillance-based price and wage discrimination as a deceptive trade practice under the 'Colorado Consumer Protection Act.' This change would not only provide consumers and workers legal avenues to challenge discriminatory practices but also empower the attorney general or district attorneys to bring civil actions against violators, thereby reinforcing the state's commitment to fair trade practices and consumer rights.

Summary

House Bill 1264 aims to prohibit surveillance-based price and wage discrimination within the state of Colorado. The bill specifically targets the use of automated decision systems, which utilize data gathered through surveillance to set individualized prices and wages for consumers and workers. The intent is to prevent discrimination that could arise from pricing and wage decisions informed by surveillance data, which often reflects personal characteristics and behaviors. In doing so, the bill seeks to protect individuals from being unfairly or unjustly treated based on potentially biased data interpretations and surveillance practices.

Contention

The bill has sparked debate regarding its implications for automated decision-making and business practices. Proponents argue that the legislation is necessary to safeguard consumers against the risks associated with data-driven discrimination that can occur when businesses rely on potentially flawed or biased data collected through surveillance. Critics, however, contend that the bill could place undue restrictions on businesses, complicating their ability to make data-based decisions. This tension reflects broader societal concerns about privacy, data ethics, and the balance between technological advancement and regulatory oversight.