FTC Issues Orders to Eight Companies Seeking Information on Surveillance Pricing

The Federal Trade Commission has issued orders to eight companies involved in surveillance pricing products and services that utilize consumer data to set personalized prices for goods or services. The orders aim to gather information on the impact of these practices on privacy, competition, and consumer protection. The companies are requested to provide details on the types of products offered, data collection methods, customer information, and the potential effects on consumers and prices. FTC Chair Lina M. Khan expressed concerns about businesses potentially using consumer data to implement surveillance pricing, emphasizing the importance of transparency in pricing practices. The orders were issued under the FTC's 6(b) authority to conduct broad studies, targeting firms like Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase, and Accenture. The Commission seeks to understand how surveillance pricing affects consumers, especially when based on personal data surveillance. The investigation aims to shed light on the use of advanced technologies and algorithms in setting individualized prices, highlighting the need for consumer awareness and protection in the evolving market landscape.