An empirical legal investigation of online price discrimination

Abstract

This empirical-legal dissertation investigates online price discrimination, the practice of charging different prices to consumers based on their data. Pricing algorithms analyze consumer data to infer willingness to pay and set prices accordingly. This dissertation maps the current legal framework, as well as the findings of the empirical research conducted on company and consumer perspectives, and the implications of these findings for future regulation. The dissertation concludes with concrete recommendations for policy, law and interdisciplinary research going forward.