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The case files

8 cases, on the record

Each entry is anchored to a matter of public record: a lawsuit, a regulator action, or sworn testimony. Claims in live proceedings are allegations unless resolved by a court. The full write-ups are in the book.

8  companies named18  public-record sources7  extraction techniques
Algorithmic price testing
No. 001

Amazon

Codename · Project Nessie

The FTC alleges Amazon ran a secret pricing algorithm, internally codenamed Project Nessie, that raised prices to test whether competitors would follow, then held them high when they did, allegedly extracting more than a billion dollars from customers.

Active litigationEvidence
AI claim denial
No. 002

UnitedHealthcare

Codename · nH Predict

A class action alleges UnitedHealthcare used an AI tool, nH Predict, as a hard cap on post-acute care for Medicare Advantage patients, with roughly 90% of appealed denials overturned, cutting vulnerable seniors off from care.

Active litigationEvidence
AI claim denial
No. 003

Cigna

Codename · PXDX

A federal class action alleges Cigna used an algorithm called PXDX to batch-deny around 300,000 claims in two months at an average of 1.2 seconds per claim, with physicians signing denials without reviewing the records.

Active litigationEvidence
Algorithmic price coordination
No. 004

RealPage

Codename · YieldStar

The DOJ alleges RealPage's YieldStar revenue-management software let competing landlords share sensitive data and coordinate rent increases across metro rental markets nationwide, functioning as algorithmic price-fixing.

Settled · ongoingEvidence
Dynamic pricing
No. 005

Live Nation / Ticketmaster

Codename · Dynamic pricing + vertical monopoly

The DOJ and 29 states and DC (later 40 jurisdictions) alleged Live Nation/Ticketmaster used surge-style dynamic pricing on tickets while vertically integrating venues, promotion and ticketing to block any alternative from emerging.

Settled · ongoingEvidence
Wage suppression
No. 006

Uber

Codename · Algorithmic wage discrimination

Scholars and litigation allege Uber's driver-pay algorithm makes individualised offers based on each driver's data, so the same trip is offered to different drivers at different rates, suppressing wages for those whose data suggests they will accept less.

Active litigationEvidence
Engagement maximisation
No. 007

Meta

Codename · Engagement algorithms

42 attorneys general (41 states plus DC) allege Meta's engagement-maximising algorithms amplified content harmful to teens, with internal research documenting the harm and decisions to prioritise engagement over safety.

Active litigationEvidence
Surveillance pricing
No. 008

Kroger and Wendy's

Codename · Surveillance pricing

Senators and the FTC are scrutinising surveillance-pricing infrastructure: electronic shelf labels, facial recognition and loyalty data that together enable charging different customers different prices for the same product based on inferred willingness to pay.

Under inquiryEvidence

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