As part of his Wisconsin Way agenda to bring down prices, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes is announcing his Stop the Scams plan to take on the greedy out-of-state monopolies that are ripping off Wisconsinites.

“Billionaires and greedy corporations are using AI to rip off Wisconsin families. Insurers are using AI to deny healthcare claims and raise premiums. Large grocers like WalMart are setting  different prices for the same goods based on your Internet history,” said Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes. “These companies are getting away with this because they’re buying politicians—but they can’t buy me. In my nearly two decades in politics, I’ve never taken a dime in corporate PAC money, and as Governor I’m going after every greedy corporation that thinks they can scam Wisconsinites.”

Mandela Barnes plan builds on bipartisan actions by states like Maryland, California, New York, and Connecticut who have passed restrictions on algorithmic price fixing and bills under consideration in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Minnesota and Maine.

Mandela Barnes Plan To Stop the Scams And Take On Greedy Monopolies

Ban AI Price Gouging

  • Healthcare monopolies, including 84% of insurance companies–are using AI to deny insurance claims and send costs skyrocketing.
  • Grocery stores—including companies like WalMart and Instacart–are using AI to raise grocery prices, offering some customers different, increased prices for the same goods based on spending habits.
  • Mandela Barnes will ban this AI price gouging and lower the cost of healthcare and groceries for all Wisconsinites.

End Surveillance-Based Dynamic Pricing And Hidden Fees

  • Mandela Barnes will prohibit companies from setting individualized prices based on personalized data, including internet browsing history, past purchases, financial status, or geolocation.
  • He will require companies to show the full, real price upfront and ban secret fees and drip pricing.

Fine Big Tech Companies For Online Scams

  • Tech companies like Meta and TikTok generate billions of dollars from selling their advertising services to scammers while Wisconsin families end up paying the price. Online scams cost consumers in Wisconsin around $1.2 billion and Americans as a whole more than $119 billion annually.
  • Mandela Barnes will hold online platforms accountable, including fining Big Tech companies when they enable e-commerce scammers and when their services are knowingly used for scam or fraud.

As governor, Mandela Barnes will use every lever at this disposal to crack down on AI price gouging, including giving DATCP and the Wisconsin Department of Justice investigative and enforcement authority, creating a private right of action mechanism for Wisconsinites who have been harmed by those who violate these laws, and demanding action from federal regulators.

Part of his Wisconsin Way agenda to make life better for Wisconsin families, Mandela Barnes’ proposal to Stop the Scams builds on his bold plans to lower costs and stand up to Donald Trump, including: