(KRON) -- California State Senator Aisha Wahab is championing a bill to protect ride share app users' privacy, highlighting concerns over data usage for pricing.
Senate Bill 259, introduced by Senator Wahab, aims to prevent ride share companies from using artificial intelligence to gather data that could lead to discriminatory pricing based on factors like battery level, phone type, and zip code.
"Imagine you're getting off an airplane you're at 10% and you're trying to get a ride to wherever you need to go. The fact that they know your battery is low, they know you're desperate and you're probably going to pay more just to get to your final destination," said Sen. Wahab.
"I think it's pretty predatorial honestly because when your battery is dying and you need to book a ride you get desperate, so you're targeted to pay more so I support the bill," said San Francisco resident Paolo Pavone.
"I hope so I hope they fight the good fight, protect our rights, protect our data, our privacy," said San Francisco resident John V.
"It's alarming to me that there is a possibility of charging of more," said Oakland resident Karen Laos.
Photo: KRON4."They use this card all the time, every time we have some kind of regulation to protect the users," said San Jose State Engineering Professor Ahmed Banafa. "Surprising me they are using it to jack up the price. Technically speaking I think of it like someone is taking advantage of someone in need. That person has no power except to say yes take my money."
The bill has sparked debate, with over a dozen groups opposing it, arguing that it assumes data is being used unfairly and could threaten business profitability and innovation.
Senator Wahab's initiative has gained support from ride share users who feel targeted by what they perceive as predatory pricing practices.
Professor Banafa criticizes the practice as "unethical surveillance pricing," distinguishing it from legal dynamic pricing based on supply and demand.
The bill passed in the Senate with majority votes and is set to head to the Assembly in mid-August. If successful there, it could reach the governor's desk.
Watch the full report from KRON4's Sara Stinson in the video player above.
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