In recent years, tech firms and consultants have been touting “surveillance pricing,” offering companies the ability to set “personalized” prices online based on a customer’s ability or willingness to pay, rather than supply and demand. This process ultimately maximizes profit.1 On one hand, this is an example of efficient pricing, on the other, it may be seen as price discrimination. As with many new profit maximization strategies, this practice has received the attention of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 1 See What is ‘surveillance pricing,’ and is it forcing some consumers to pay more? 2 See, e.g., Order to File a Special Report – 6(b) Surveillance Pricing Intermediaries, Federal Trade Commission, July 19, 2024, https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/sp6b_order_surv_pricing.pdf3 Id.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 08, 2024 20:27 UTC