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CA May Ban Lyft and Uber from AI Price Gouging Users with Low Phone Batteries

17 days ago
  • #consumer rights
  • #AI pricing
  • #California legislation
  • California is considering a bill (Senate Bill 259) to ban rideshare services like Lyft and Uber from using AI-driven surveillance pricing.
  • The bill would prohibit the use of personal data such as phone model, battery level, installed apps, and geolocation in pricing algorithms.
  • Companies argue that banning surveillance pricing would increase costs and require significant overhauls of pricing models.
  • Industry groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, oppose the bill, claiming it assumes all data use is predatory.
  • Delta Air Lines is also moving towards AI-based pricing, with 20% of flights to be priced using AI by year-end.