Lee Hepner

In this lively discussion, Lee Hepner, an antitrust lawyer at the American Economic Liberties Project, dives into the unsettling world of surveillance pricing. He explains how companies manipulate your data to set personalized prices, often harming consumers. Listeners learn about the RealPage scandal, where landlords coordinated rent hikes, and how this tactic is emerging in various sectors, from retail to meatpacking. Hepner stresses the urgent need for lawmakers to address these issues, as dynamic pricing practices continue to blur the lines of fairness and competition.

Lee Hepner, an antitrust lawyer and Senior Legal Counsel at the American Economic Liberties Project, unpacks the alarming trend of surveillance pricing. He reveals how companies like Delta Airlines are leveraging personal data to set prices based on individual behavior and emotional states. The discussion dives into ethical implications, the impact on socio-economic groups, and potential regulatory measures. Hepner highlights the need for transparency and consumer protection as we face a future of personalized pricing schemes that could deepen economic inequality.