Surveillance Pricing: Exploiting Information Asymmetries
by cainxinth on 4/22/2026, 5:13:19 PM
https://lpeproject.org/blog/surveillance-pricing-exploiting-information-asymmetries/
Comments
by: teeray
It would be abhorrent to let humans change the prices of goods and services based on the color of your skin, age, gender, religion, etc. However, if a computer does it, that’s apparently just fine.
4/22/2026, 7:18:36 PM
by: 2009mobile
The article describes Uber's surge pricing as a form of surveillance pricing, but this is misleading. The primary purpose of surge pricing isn't to maximize profit, it's to increase supply. Dynamic pricing in a 2-sided network is different than in retailing.
4/22/2026, 6:30:10 PM
by: NDlurker
This is really making me consider going back to all cash and local purchases. Maybe prepaid debit cards and a PO box for when I need to order something online.
4/22/2026, 6:15:41 PM
by: neeeeeeal
Based on the title, I assumed this would be about how the consumer could grasp and then counter-utilize the pricing differences these algorithms produce.<p>For example, understanding that you are being “targeted” by these algorithm for premium extraction and taking measures such as spinning up VPNs, clearing cache/history, etc to save the consumer from overpaying.<p>Seems like a good market for such a product would exist…
4/22/2026, 6:17:54 PM
by: bestouff
This can't happen in EU. Thanks again.
4/22/2026, 6:16:57 PM