Washington Post notifies subscribers their rates are set to increase, explaining the price rise“was set by an algorithm using your personal data.”

[huggydude@mastodon.social]

@newsguyusa Boy, I am not sorry that I cancelled my subscription.... if this is traditional media we are all in a sorry place for sure!

[kanamauna@sauropods.win]

@newsguyusa

This raises an ugly question: If vendors are allowed to set prices according to opaque decisions based on "your personal data", how do we know this isn't just a cover for some type of discrimination (racial, religious, sexual, etc.)?

[roadskater@mastodon.social]

@newsguyusa People responding to this need to step back with their snark and ask, "What data does WaPo have about their readers and how did they obtain it?" Is it basic stuff, like "let's charge subscribers in Bethesda more because they can afford it" or have they gone full evil with "we matched up your WaPo and Amazon accounts, and, hoo boy, we're gonna charge you up the whazoo"?

[nicolaottomano@mastodon.uno]

@newsguyusa
Even if they doubled my subscription, it would not matter for me. They are still 0$!

[oliver_schafeld@mastodon.online]

Quick question for a fishmonger friend of mine: Any special discount on fish wrapping paper?

[tofm2@friendica.world]

@newsguyusa Another reason to suspend your subscription.

Who has a subscription to this toilet paper by the way?

[iwillyeah@mastodon.ie]

@newsguyusa the only price worth paying is a big fat middle finger

[ahltorp@mastodon.nu]

@thriftwicker @newsguyusa Just you wait, ’enry ’iggins, just you wait.

[sandsoftime5050@c.im]

@newsguyusa WHATTHEFUCK

[pcat@mstdn.plus]

@roadskater @newsguyusa Another question occurs to me. Are they completely oblivious to the reaction of their soon to be former subscribers or are they counting on it? Is it designed to produce conditions that business bosses will use to justify eliminating more "division of church and state" in newsrooms? Is it a cunning maneuver or just arrogant stupidity on Bezos' part? Data abuse is the larger concern, but his predatory strategies are not insignificant. Others will duplicate his actions.

[calum@mastodon.dazed-gerbil.com]

@newsguyusa @WarnerCrocker Why isn't this an Onion article?

[pizzademon@mastodon.online]

@kDelta @mattblaze @newsguyusa IANAL
I understand that most forms of price discrimination/ dynamic pricing are technically legal but I wanted to paint a dramatic example of how absurd it can be. It can also be truly damaging: retailers charging a couple % more when they know you've just gotten paid. Gig employers offering a couple % less when they know you're late on your bills.

I stated JB had the hot dog as a crude offer & acceptance of consideration.

[kims@mas.to]

@mattblaze @newsguyusa
In fairness, casinos *do* charge based on user data, but usually in the other direction. The richest gamblers (or, rather, the ones who gamble the most money) get everything for free, rather than having their prices hiked

Also, there's a group of extremely wealthy people who meet once a month at the Four Seasons (admission to the group is based on liquid net worth) and their room rate is *much* lower than rack rate

The super rich are rarely victims of predatory pricing

[adamdavis@mastodon.social]

@newsguyusa
This type of pricing is a giant FU to customers. I hope they have a ton of cancellations.

[mattblaze@federate.social]

@kims @newsguyusa Indeed. I'm thinking about the prohibition on adjusting odds based on player behavior.