Dynamic pricing - where prices are continuously adjusted based on algorithms, consumer data, demand conditions or behavioural signals - has become increasingly common in digital markets. While these techniques can improve market efficiency, they also raise important consumer protection questions, including transparency, fairness, discrimination, and the potential use of dark patterns or personalised offers that exploit consumer vulnerabilities.
This webinar, convened by the UNCTAD informal Working Group on Consumer Protection in E-Commerce, will bring together consumer protection agencies, experts and stakeholders to examine emerging practices in dynamic pricing and discuss policy and enforcement approaches. Speakers will share insights from ongoing research and enforcement experience, including the use of AI-driven pricing systems, challenges in detecting unfair or discriminatory pricing, and the role of platforms in ensuring transparent and accountable pricing practices.
The session will also present international perspectives, including national cases and lessons from authorities and consumer organizations, alongside academic contributions.
Participants will explore how consumer protection frameworks can address evolving pricing models, ensure fairness and transparency, and promote responsible business conduct in digital markets.
Target audience: Consumer protection authorities, policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, business representatives and other stakeholders engaged in digital markets and consumer protection.
Speakers:
- Prof. Christine Riefa, University of Reading and Academic Coordinator, UNCTAD informal Working Group on Consumer Protection in E-Commerce
- Mateusz Grochowski, Associate Professor of Law, Tulane University School of Law
- Simon Jones, Project Director, Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), United Kingdom
- Derek Kravitz, Deputy Editor, Special Projects, and Grace Gedye, Policy Analyst, Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Reports, United States of America
