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iPhone vs. Android: Is Uber's Algorithm Pricing You Differently? — Ep 3
05/18/2025
iPhone vs. Android: Is Uber's Algorithm Pricing You Differently? — Ep 3
A viral video in India sparked an investigation: Were Uber and Ola charging iPhone users more than Android users? As officials probe consumer price discrimination, Alex and Matt ask the next logical question: What’s happening on the worker side of the app? In this episode, they unpack how Uber’s complex algorithms might be using parameters like phone type, car model, or even ride acceptance history to shape wages, without explaining to drivers the math behind their wages. From the murky mechanics of “black box” pricing to the unequal power of information in platform work, they explore how small, invisible variables can lead to big differences in pay. Is this just algorithmic efficiency, or something more troubling? Review the source material for this episode: Link to story from The Register: Link to More Perfect Union video highlighting price discrimination: Connect with Matt Schwinger: Follow Big Lake Data:
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