Uber, Lyft, and Algorithmic Pricing in Ride-Hailing Markets with Derek Kravitz

The discussion topics will include:

• Key findings from Consumer Reports’ investigation into pricing differences for similar rides booked at the same time
• The rise of upfront pricing and how it works in ride-hailing markets
• Questions surrounding discounts, reference pricing, and potential consumer protection concerns
• How Uber and Lyft explain and defend their pricing practices
• The growing use of algorithmic pricing across consumer-facing markets
• What regulators, lawmakers, and consumers should watch as pricing systems become more sophisticated

Guest Bio:

Derek Kravitz is an investigative journalist at Consumer Reports, where his work focuses on algorithmic pricing, consumer protection, and digital markets. Prior to joining Consumer Reports, he served as Director of Research at ProPublica and worked as a reporter and editor at The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Associated Press. His reporting examines how data, algorithms, and technology shape prices and consumer outcomes.