Incidents gathered from public reporting around the world. Each one links to the articles it came from. None of it is a finding that anyone broke the law.
Reports people file about their own experience are not shown here and never will be without their agreement. Tell us what happened to you.
44 incidents closest to “Lighthouse Pricing” · matched on meaning · public reporting
Data centers' electricity and water consumption raised utility bills for local residents.
1 source article · read the reporting →
Maryland's Office of People's Counsel filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission against grid operator PJM, saying its cost allocation would make Maryland households pay about $1.6 billion over a decade for transmission built to serve data centres in other states, from which they do not benefit.
1 source article · read the reporting →
بحث غوغل بالذكاء الاصطناعي يعرض أسعارًا أعلى بـ 21.6% للمنتجات - وكالة عمون الاخبارية
A study found that Google's AI Mode shows the same products at prices 21.6% higher on average compared to traditional search. The primary seller for the same product differed nearly 50% of the time, suggesting AI Mode prioritizes different sellers and is less focused on low prices. Google stated that all shopping results, including AI Mode, use the same Shopping Graph data source.
1 source article · read the reporting →
The exam software experienced technical failures that prevented candidates from logging in or completing the California bar exam.
1 source article · read the reporting →
A group of hotel guests allege that Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock, Borgata, and MGM conspired to fix room rates using Cendyn's Rainmaker algorithm. The algorithm allegedly recommended prices based on competitively-sensitive information shared among the casinos. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit revived the lawsuit, allowing the claims to proceed. The case is pending.
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Uber introduced an opaque algorithm called 'Upfront Fares' to calculate driver pay in 24 U.S. cities, replacing the previous time-and-distance-based rate. Drivers report lower and unpredictable earnings, with Uber taking a larger cut of fares. The company claims the change gives drivers more control, but critics say the secrecy makes it impossible to verify fair pay. The algorithm may learn the lowest rate drivers will accept, potentially driving down wages.
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Two booksellers on Amazon, profnath and bordeebook, used algorithmic pricing to automatically adjust their prices relative to each other. Due to a lack of upper price limits, their algorithms entered a feedback loop, driving the price of a used copy of 'The Making of a Fly' to over $23 million. The error was discovered by a researcher and the price was later manually corrected by one of the sellers. No purchase was made at the inflated price.
2 source articles · read the reporting →
In 2016, the municipality of Castricum, Netherlands, used an algorithm to set the WOZ value of a resident's home at €320,000, affecting their property tax. The resident challenged the valuation, arguing earthquake damage reduced the value, but the municipality could not explain how the algorithm arrived at the figure. On appeal, an Amsterdam court upheld the valuation, finding it reasonable based on comparable sales, but ordered the municipality to pay court costs for failing to provide an explanation as required by GDPR.
1 source article · read the reporting →
In February 2024, Meta's automated ad platform Advantage Plus began malfunctioning, causing advertisers' costs per impression to skyrocket and blowing through daily budgets without delivering sales. Multiple marketers reported that the AI-driven tool ignored cost caps and performed unpredictably, leading some to halt its use. Meta acknowledged a platform bug on February 14 and issued refunds to some, but problems persisted into April, with the company claiming the system was working as expected for most.
1 source article · read the reporting →
The Portland Water Bureau used a machine learning system in a randomised control trial to identify customers for its financial assistance programme. The system selected Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, a billionaire and one of the city's largest residential water consumers, for a 40% water bill discount. Boyle declined the discount, stating it should go to someone who needs it. The bureau is testing whether the SERVUS algorithm can accurately identify customers' ability to pay.
1 source article · read the reporting →
The Competition Bureau of Canada is investigating allegations that major corporate landlords, including Dream Unlimited, used AI-powered software YieldStar to coordinate rent increases. Tenant advocacy groups filed over 100 complaints, claiming the software recommended above-market rents, exacerbating housing affordability. Some landlords have since halted use of YieldStar amid public backlash, while the investigation continues.
7 source articles · read the reporting →
The Attorney General of Washington DC filed a lawsuit against 14 large landlords, alleging they used RealPage's YieldStar software to form “a District-wide housing cartel” that artificially inflated rents. The complaint claims RealPage's pricing algorithm used data supplied by the landlords and pressurised them to follow its rate recommendations, with one firm's internal presentation stating at least 95% compliance was expected. This alleged scheme caused residents to pay millions of dollars above fair market prices during a housing affordability crisis.
10 source articles · read the reporting →
On June 3, 2017, during a terrorist attack on London Bridge, Uber's dynamic pricing algorithm increased ride prices by over 200% for 43 minutes. Customers attempting to flee the area faced surge pricing. The algorithm automatically adjusted prices based on supply and demand without accounting for the emergency.
7 source articles · read the reporting →
The lawyer submitted AI-generated court documents containing false citations and quotes, harming his client's discrimination case.
1 source article · read the reporting →
RealPage's YieldStar algorithm uses private competitor data to recommend rent increases for apartment units. Landlords adopt up to 90% of the suggestions, leading to higher rents for tenants. Critics allege the software may facilitate indirect price-fixing in violation of antitrust law. The company denies wrongdoing and says the software helps eliminate collusion.
10 source articles · read the reporting →
A class action lawsuit alleges that UDR, Inc. used RealPage's YieldStar algorithmic pricing software to set rental rates and occupancy levels for its San Diego properties, in violation of a local ordinance. The suit claims the software relied on nonpublic competitor data, contributing to inflated rents and making housing less affordable. The lawsuit, filed in July 2026, seeks to represent all affected tenants. UDR has previously acknowledged using YieldStar as one tool among others in its decision-making.
1 source article · read the reporting →
A study of over 100 million rides in Chicago between November 2018 and December 2019 found that Uber and Lyft's pricing algorithms charged higher fares per mile for trips to or from neighbourhoods with higher proportions of non-white residents. The researchers analysed trip data against census demographics and found no statistical link to higher demand in those areas. Both companies acknowledged the study and said they would review the findings, but no changes have been reported.
10 source articles · read the reporting →
The Gradient app, a celebrity lookalike app promoted by the Kardashians, charges users $19.99 per month after a three-day free trial without clear disclosure. Users complained on social media about unexpected credit card charges. The app's developer, Ticket to the Moon, has not addressed the billing complaints but denied collecting user data.
9 source articles · read the reporting →
A study by MIT Media Lab and Coworker.org found that Shipt's new V2 payment algorithm reduced pay for 41% of workers by an average of 11% per shop. The algorithm, rolled out in September 2020, replaced a transparent payment system with a black-box model. Workers pooled data to analyze the impact, revealing uneven distribution of earnings.
10 source articles · read the reporting →
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that Airbnb's smart-pricing algorithm increased the revenue gap between White and Black hosts, even though it narrowed the gap among hosts who adopted it. The algorithm, which sets daily prices automatically, was adopted by fewer Black hosts, so its suggested prices were closer to the optimum for White hosts. The researchers said the tool could reduce racial disparities only if more Black hosts adopted it.
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Bruce Springsteen addressed fan outrage over Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing for his 2023 tour, which led to ticket prices skyrocketing up to $5,000. Springsteen said he told his team to do what other artists do and that most tickets were affordable. He offered refunds to fans who complained.
9 source articles · read the reporting →
During a city rail network shutdown in March 2023, Uber's surge pricing algorithm charged commuters hundreds of dollars above normal fares. One passenger was charged $500 for a trip from Sydney to Mount Annan that usually costs $40. Uber apologized and reimbursed affected customers. The NSW government then made an agreement with Uber to cap surge pricing during public transport disruptions.
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Uber's dynamic pricing algorithm increased fares by up to 800% on New Year's Eve in Australia, leaving some users with bills hundreds of dollars above normal. Skye Shanahan was charged $720 for a trip that usually costs $100, and Kris Keen paid $330 for a $40 ride. Uber defended the surge pricing, saying it encourages more drivers, and offered $180 credit to Shanahan.
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Delta Air Lines is using generative AI from Fetcherr to determine some domestic flight prices, currently covering 3% of its network with plans to reach 20% by end of 2025. Democratic senators expressed concern that the AI could be used for individualized pricing based on personal data, leading to higher fares. Delta denies using personal data in pricing and states it complies with regulations. No actual harm has been reported.
8 source articles · read the reporting →
