Are you being exploited by AI-powered surveillance pricing?

Nearly a decade ago, Uber revealed that customers are more willing to pay surge prices when their phones are about to die. That data point sparked a pervasive belief that Uber and other ridehailing apps use algorithms to tailor each passenger’s price to their behavior and willingness to pay — a practice known as “surveillance pricing.” A related myth — that airlines use your search history to jack up prices for flights you’re interested in — is similarly ubiquitous even though it’s not true.