Interesting theory that if Uber and other similar platform companies are right that they have on-boarded independent contractors and not employees, then they are enabling the contractors to engage in price fixing/horizontal coordination: https://jalopnik.com/the-legal-argument-that-could-destroy-uber-1834790506 …
True, Uber's algo is not a market, but increasing prices to spur increased supply doesn't sound like a cartel or manipulation to me at all. I mean, doesn't it make sense that with taxi stock fixed, prices should rise in the rain?
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If Uber were coordinating this surge pricing with Lyft, I would agree with you. Or, if Uber driver's were all turning off their phones at the same time to artificially deflate supply to increase prices, yes that's price manipulation/cartel behavior.
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But, Uber increasing prices during high demand, low supply periods in an algorithmic way that does not explicitly involve coordination with their competitor Lyft? That's not behavior we should be regulating.
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