The Federal Trade Commission ordered nine companies to explain their pricing and pay practices
The Federal Trade Commission issued Section 6(b) study orders to nine companies across the airline, ride-hailing, delivery and retail sectors, seeking details on whether personal data informs consumer prices or worker pay. Recipients include Delta, Uber and Walmart and have 45 days after receipt to respond. The orders are not enforcement actions; the FTC has accused no company of wrongdoing and plans a study.
More context
The Federal Trade Commission ordered nine companies to explain whether they use personal data to set consumer prices or worker compensation, including pay on ride-hailing and delivery platforms. The orders, issued under Section 6(b), went to Delta, United, JetBlue, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Target and Walmart; each has 45 days from receiving its order to respond.
The FTC said the requests are for a study, not enforcement actions, and it has not accused the companies of wrongdoing. The agency seeks information about the tools, data and procedures used to set or adjust prices and compensation, including whether data such as location, browsing history or income is involved. The FTC plans to publish a study to inform regulators and lawmakers. If a company fails to respond, the agency can ask a federal court to compel compliance.
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Reporting
- The Guardian — FTC orders Delta, Uber and others to hand over data on algorithmic pricing
- BigGo Finance — FTC Orders Walmart, Uber, Delta and Six Others to Explain Personalized Pricing Data — BigGo Finance
- MarketScale — FTC asks nine companies whether data shapes prices and pay
- KGW 8 Portland — FTC orders Walmart, Delta and others to share how they use personal data to set prices and pay
- Newsweek — Full List of Companies FTC Probing Over ‘Personalized Pricing’ - Newsweek
- CNBC — FTC demands Walmart and others hand over data on personalized pricing
- Reuters — EXCLUSIVE: US FTC demands Walmart, Uber, Delta and others hand over data on personalized pricing
- cubaheadlines.com — FTC Probes Use of Personal Data by Companies to Set Prices and Wages
Verifier’s note
The Guardian, BigGo Finance, MarketScale, KGW, Cuba Headlines, Newsweek, CNBC, and Reuters all report the FTC’s orders seeking information from airlines, ride-share and delivery firms, and retailers about data-driven pricing. The reports concern the same recent event, with no contradiction of its central claim.