The Current Are you a target of algorithmic pricing?
Feb 5, 2026
Jim Balsillie, tech policy leader and former Research in Motion co-CEO, explains how algorithmic pricing uses surveillance data to set personalized prices. He outlines what data is collected and gives real-life pricing examples. He discusses how profiling turns consumers into markets and why regulation and upstream privacy limits are needed.
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Algorithms Price People Individually
- Companies collect extensive data and run algorithms to estimate how much each person will pay.
- Algorithmic pricing raises prices to the highest amount an individual will bear, reducing market fairness.
Regulate Privacy First
- Start with comprehensive privacy regulation to limit the data that fuels tailored pricing.
- Manage upstream surveillance to prevent downstream harms like predatory or essential-good price hikes.
Rideshare Price Difference Story
- Jim Balsillie shares a rideshare example where a higher-earning partner was charged more than their partner.
- The price difference was driven by data profiles about income and habits collected about each rider.