FTC Launches Inquiry into Surveillance-Based Pricing Practices of Major Companies
20 Sources
[1]
FTC orders 8 companies to hand over information on 'surveillance pricing' practices
The Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper's individual characteristics. In a Tuesday announcement, the FTC said it was seeking to better understand the "opaque
[2]
FTC orders 8 companies to provide information on 'surveillance pricing' practices
NEW YORK -- The Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper's individual characteristics. In a Tuesday announcement, the FTC said it was seeking to better understand
[3]
FTC orders 8 companies to provide information on 'surveillance pricing' practices
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper's individual characteristics. In a Tuesday announcement, the FTC said it was seeking to better
[4]
FTC orders 8 companies to provide information on 'surveillance pricing' practices
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper's individual characteristics. In a Tuesday announcement, the FTC said it was seeking to better
[5]
FTC Orders 8 Companies to Provide Information on 'Surveillance Pricing' Practices
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper's individual characteristics. In a Tuesday announcement, the FTC said it was seeking to better
[6]
FTC orders 8 companies to provide information on 'surveillance pricing' practices
NEW YORK -- The Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper's individual characteristics. In a Tuesday announcement, the FTC said it was seeking to better understand
[7]
FTC launches probe into 'surveillance pricing' that it says links cost to customer data
FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan in Washington on May 15. Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images The Federal Trade Commission is launching an investigation into so-called "surveillance pricing," seeking more information about how artificial intelligence is used to change pricing rapidly based
[8]
FTC Investigating Companies' Use of Personal Data to Set Prices
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking to learn more about companies' use of personal data to categorize individuals and set individualized prices for the same goods or service -- a practice it calls "surveillance pricing." The regulator said in a Tuesday (July 23) press release that it
[9]
FTC will launch probe into AI-driven surveillance pricing - SiliconANGLE
The Federal Trade Commission today announced it's seeking information from eight companies that use artificial intelligence to set prices based on customers' behavior and characteristics. Known as "surveillance pricing," the companies' third-party AI systems leverage mountains of personal data to
[10]
FTC launches probe into 'surveillance pricing' that it says links cost to customer data
Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, speaks during the 2024 CNBC CEO Council Summit in Washington, D.C. on June 4, 2024. The Federal Trade Commission is launching an investigation into so-called "surveillance pricing," seeking more information about how artificial intelligence is used
[11]
FTC investigates 'surveillance pricing' based on customer data
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating how companies including Mastercard and JPMorgan Chase use AI and personal data for services that let firms set different prices for different people. The FTC has issued orders seeking information from eight firms that offer so-called "surveillance
[12]
FTC to study surveillance pricing methods of Mastercard, Chase, other companies
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued orders for eight companies to provide information about surveillance pricing as it seeks to study the potential impacts such practices have on privacy, competition and consumer protection, the agency said Tuesday. The FTC issued orders to Mastercard,
[13]
FTC is investigating how companies are using AI to base pricing on consumer behavior
The Federal Trade Commission announced on Tuesday that it's ordering eight companies that offer AI-powered "surveillance service pricing" to turn over information about the potential impact these products have on privacy, competition, and consumer protection. With this investigation, the agency is
[14]
FTC asks 8 firms to explain surveillance pricing technology
Ever shop in an incognito window to avoid paying more? This one's for you The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into "surveillance pricing," a phenomenon likely familiar to anyone who's bought something in an incognito browser window to avoid paying a
[15]
FTC launches probe into whether surveillance pricing can boost costs for consumers
Federal regulators want to know how JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard and other companies may use people's personal data to sell them a product at a different price than what other consumers might see. The practice -- which the Federal Trade Commission calls "surveillance pricing" and- is also known as
[16]
US FTC looking into targeted pricing based on personal data
(Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has launched a study of products that could allow companies to set different prices for consumers based on their locations, past purchases, and other personal data. The agency said on Tuesday it had ordered Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase, and six other
[17]
What is surveillance pricing? And why is the FTC investigating it?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Tuesday it initiated a probe into the often opaque practice of surveillance pricing at eight different companies. The goal of the investigation, the FTC said, is to protect citizens and look into the impact surveillance pricing has on privacy,
[18]
U.S. FTC Probes Companies Using Personal Data for Price Discrimination
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a study on targeted pricing products that could enable companies to set different prices for consumers based on personal data, such as location and past purchases. The FTC has ordered Mastercard (MA), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), and six other
[19]
JPMorgan, Mastercard, Accenture get order from FTC on surveillance pricing (NYSE:ACN)
The Federal Trade Commission sent orders to eight companies, including the U.S.'s largest bank by assets and one of the two largest card payment networks, seeking information about how their use of consumer data affects privacy, competition, and consumer protection, the agency said on Tuesday. The
[20]
McDonald's and Starbucks partner is being investigated for using AI to set prices
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an investigation into a handful of major companies over how they use customer data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence to individually tailor pricing. Eight firms across industries -- Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, Task Software, McKinsey &
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The Federal Trade Commission has ordered eight major companies, including Mastercard and JPMorgan Chase, to provide information on their surveillance-based pricing practices. This move aims to investigate how companies use personal data to set prices for consumers.
FTC Initiates Broad Investigation into Surveillance-Based Pricing
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a significant inquiry into the surveillance-based pricing practices of eight major companies, including financial giants Mastercard and JPMorgan Chase
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. This investigation marks a crucial step in understanding how businesses utilize personal data to determine prices for consumers in the digital age.Scope of the Investigation
The FTC's orders extend beyond the financial sector, encompassing a diverse range of industries. Other companies under scrutiny include:
- Alphabet (Google's parent company)
- Amazon
- Apple
- Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook)
- Microsoft
- TikTok owner ByteDance
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This broad spectrum of companies underscores the pervasive nature of data-driven pricing strategies across various sectors of the economy.
Focus on Data Collection and Pricing Algorithms
The investigation aims to shed light on how these companies collect and use consumer data to inform their pricing decisions. The FTC is particularly interested in understanding the algorithms and artificial intelligence systems employed to set prices based on personal information
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.Concerns Over Discriminatory Practices
One of the primary concerns driving this inquiry is the potential for discriminatory pricing. The FTC wants to determine whether these practices disproportionately affect certain groups of consumers, potentially leading to unfair treatment based on factors such as race, gender, or economic status
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.Implications for Consumer Privacy
The investigation also raises important questions about consumer privacy. As companies collect vast amounts of personal data to inform their pricing strategies, there are growing concerns about the extent of surveillance and the potential misuse of sensitive information
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Potential Outcomes and Industry Impact
While the FTC has not accused any of the companies of wrongdoing at this stage, the investigation could have far-reaching consequences for how businesses operate in the digital marketplace. Depending on the findings, it may lead to new regulations or enforcement actions aimed at protecting consumer interests and ensuring fair pricing practices
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.Timeline and Next Steps
The companies have 45 days to respond to the FTC's order with the requested information. This data will help the commission gain a comprehensive understanding of surveillance-based pricing practices and their impact on consumers. The findings from this investigation could potentially shape future policies and regulations in the realm of digital commerce and data privacy
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