The Rent Is Too Damn Algorithmic - Washington City Paper
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Attorney General Brian Schwalb is investigating RealPage, a company that helps landlords set rent prices, for potential antitrust violations.

The rent is too damn algorithmic — DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb is investigating RealPage, a company that helps landlords set rent prices, for potential antitrust violations::Attorney General Brian Schwalb is investigating RealPage, a company that helps landlords set rent prices, for potential antitrust violations.

  • henfredemars@infosec.pubEnglish
    552·
    9 months ago

    Is it really antitrust if the algorithm correctly concludes that you can effectively charge infinite money for basic needs like food, shelter, water, healthcare that humans need to survive?

    • mosiacmango@lemm.eeEnglish
      70·
      9 months ago

      The issue is that it sets the same prices for all its clients, so they all move in tandem. The more clients in one area using it, the stronger the profit for everyone because their prices move in lockstep. It creates the prices via its collision mechanism.

      This is the same thing as those parties colluding to all raise their prices in tandem, they have just outsourced the collusion.