Penalty Amount
$7,000,000
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $7 million settlement with Greystar Management Services LLC for using RealPage's algorithmic software to illegally align rent prices with competitors by sharing confidential pricing information, violating antitrust laws. Greystar must cease using such anticompetitive algorithms, refrain from data sharing, accept monitoring, and cooperate in the ongoing case against RealPage.
Greystar must pay $7 million in penalties and fees, refrain from using any anticompetitive algorithm that uses rivals' competitively sensitive data, stop sharing such information with competitors, accept a court-appointed monitor if using non-certified pricing algorithms, avoid attending RealPage-hosted meetings, and cooperate with the states' monopolization claims against RealPage.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor and software licensing agreements with third-party pricing or revenue management software providers (e.g., RealPage) to identify clauses permitting or requiring the sharing of competitively sensitive pricing data. Specific clauses to scrutinize include data sharing provisions, algorithm use and output licensing, confidentiality terms, and any representations/warranties regarding antitrust compliance. Customer agreements, particularly those involving property management or leasing services, should also be examined for clauses that might mandate or facilitate price coordination with competitors. Required changes may include amending contracts to explicitly prohibit the sharing of confidential pricing information with competitors, removing any requirements to input sensitive data into shared algorithmic systems, and adding robust antitrust compliance warranties and audit rights.
Entity
Greystar Management Services LLC
Also known as: Greystar
Industry
Real EstateOfficial Press Release
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-announces-7-million-settlement-greystar-participating
attorney general bonta files amended complaint realpage laws
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-files-amended-complaint-realpage-lawsuit-seeks-hold
158 1
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/158-1.pdf
California Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/privacy-enforcement-actions
"Greystar Management Services LLC (Greystar)"
"$7 million in penalties and fees"
"used RealPage’s revenue management system to align rental prices with competing landlords by illegally sharing and gathering confidential pricing information"
$7.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a bipartisan coalition of nine states in a $7 million settlement with Greystar Management Services LLC, the largest U.S. landlord, for anticompetitive algorithmic pricing practices. Greystar shared competitively sensitive data with competitors via RealPage's algorithms and discussed pricing strategies, leading to inflated rents. The consent decree prohibits such conduct, requires monitoring if using uncertified algorithms, and bars participation in RealPage competitor meetings.
A coalition of 12 state attorneys general, led by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, obtained a temporary restraining order from a federal court in California to halt the proposed $110 billion merger of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in film distribution, anticipated blockbuster film distribution, and licensing cable TV channels.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) joined a coalition of 18 Attorneys General and state agencies in opposing the proposed SECURE Data Act, a federal privacy bill that would preempt stronger state privacy laws like the CCPA. The coalition argues the bill would weaken consumer privacy protections, limit enforcement remedies, and undermine California's Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP).
$12.8M
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with multiple district attorneys and the California Privacy Protection Agency, announced a $12.75 million settlement with General Motors for illegally selling hundreds of thousands of Californians' location and driving data to data brokers Verisk and LexisNexis without notice or consent. The settlement includes the largest CCPA penalty to date, a five-year ban on selling driving data to consumer reporting agencies, and requirements to delete retained data and implement a robust privacy program.
The California Privacy Protection Agency Board voted to support two bills (AB 1542 and SB 1106) and took a 'support if amended' position on a third bill (AB 883). These bills aim to strengthen privacy protections by expanding sensitive data protections, improving deletion rights under the Delete Act, and providing expedited deletion for elected officials and judges.
The California Privacy Protection Agency sent a letter to Congress opposing the SECURE Data Act, a federal bill that would preempt state privacy laws like the CCPA and Delete Act. The letter argues the bill would eliminate rights for 40 million Californians, including the DROP platform and opt-out preference signal requirements, and urges Congress to set a floor rather than a ceiling on privacy protections.