US regulators have launched a new study on “surveillance pricing” and partnerships between big tech firms. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating how companies use consumer data to set prices, citing concerns over fairness and competition.
The FTC’s research focuses on retailers’ use of location, demographics, shopping history, browsing patterns, and other data to set targeted prices. Chair Lina M. Khan stated that Americans have a right to know how their private data is being used to determine prices they pay.
To inform its investigation, the FTC has released a request for information, asking consumers about their experiences with surveillance pricing and businesses about potential unfair advantages. The commission also published a blog post highlighting the need for clear principles guiding future developments in this area.
Separately, the FTC has issued a report on partnerships between artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud giants. The study examines relationships between major tech firms, including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
The report reveals potential competition implications, such as access to computing resources, engineering talent, and sensitive technical information. It also warns of increased switching costs for AI developer partners.
This investigation comes as President Joe Biden’s executive order promotes the use of AI in improving cybersecurity. The FTC’s findings are likely to be closely watched by policymakers, businesses, and consumers.
Source: https://www.pymnts.com/news/regulation/2025/ftc-urges-continued-research-into-surveillance-pricing