The bill would ban using personal data to charge customers different prices for the same goods

For those unaware: algorithmic pricing is the practice of using data about a user to change how much to charge them. For example if a company buys your data and realizes that you just got paid, or that you’re that you’re really desperate for whatever product, or whatever, then they will charge you more. Usually this is done by a company requiring you to download an app so that you can “see” the prices, though it can be done more inconspicuously with online shopping.

This practice is becoming common in some areas. So its good to hear that Manitoba will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to outlaw the practice.

  • a_gee_dizzleOPEnglish
    2·
    7 hours ago

    I wonder if this would mean that Uber and Lyft will need to change how they charge people in Manitoba. I think you could make a case that its not the same though, because basing price based off availability of drivers is not necessarily the same as using personal data about a user to tailor the price to them specifically. In the first case it applies to everyone using the service at that time, in the second case it still varies person to person