Big Data Killing: Price Discrimination in Algorithmic Economy
Research Article
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Big Data Killing: Price Discrimination in Algorithmic Economy

Yiru Wang 1* Guangzhi Zhang 2, Zhiyu Zhang 3
1 Macau University of Science and Technology
2 Heilongjiang International University
3 Xinjiang Institute of Engineering
*Corresponding author: 1230022643@student.must.edu.mo
Published on 26 November 2025
Volume Cover
AEMPS Vol.243
ISSN (Print): 2754-1177
ISSN (Online): 2754-1169
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-557-8
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-558-5
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Abstract

This paper focuses on the issues related to price discrimination under the background of big data, based on the actual situation and problem of Chinese Internet users' consumption data, through the methods of literature research and case analysis, and theoretically expounds its economic essence, so as to find the existing economic problems under the background of big data. The research background and significance of this paper point out that modern enterprises use big data to collect massive users' Internet browsing history and other actual situations to achieve precise marketing plan of enterprises, which makes the hot topic of "big data killing" cause a lot of disputes among users. It can be seen that discussing this issue is of great significance to promote the legal use of personal information records by enterprises, and protect the rights and interests of consumers. Then it analyzes the impact of big data on price discrimination, including the specific implementation path of "data-algorithm" and further makes a specific comparison with the traditional sense of price discrimination. This study also points out the damage of price discrimination to consumer experience and consumption fairness caused by the current situation, and there is no corresponding sound system, and some Internet industries still hide the defects of black box algorithm, and other specific situations, which urgently need to put forward solutions. In view of the shortcomings of regulation and algorithm transparency, this paper describes the specific content and implementation methods of China's digital economy in the future.

Keywords:

Price discrimination, big data, fairness

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Wang,Y.;Zhang,G.;Zhang,Z. (2025). Big Data Killing: Price Discrimination in Algorithmic Economy. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,243,51-56.

References

[1]. Xie, H., Zhu, Y. and Shishkin, D. (2025) On the Limitations of Data-Based Price Discrimination. Theoretical Economics, 20(1), 303-351.

[2]. Chioveanu, I. (2024) Consumer Data and Price Discrimination by Consideration Sets. Economics Letters, 236, 116105.

[3]. Wang, C. (2021) How Should “Big Data-Enabled Price Discrimination against Existing Customers” Be Regulated? Shanghai Law Society. https: //www.jfdaily.com/sgh/detail?id=549998

[4]. Choe, C., King, S. and Matsushima, N. (2018) Pricing with Cookies: Behavior-Based Price Discrimination and Spatial Competition. Management Science, 64(12), 5669–5687.

[5]. Zhang, X., Zhang, M. and Zhao, W. (2024) Algorithmic Collusion and Price Discrimination: The Over-Usage of Data. SSRN Electronic Journal. https: //ssrn.com/abstract=4714202

[6]. Chen, X. and Zeng, X. (2021, November 22) Chen Xinlei: Is There Really No Solution to Big Data “Killing Existing Customers”? Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. https: //www.mbachina.com/html/saif/202111/383745.html

[7]. Liu, M., Hu, Y., Li, G. and Qu, S. (2024) Information Sharing and Personalized Pricing in Online Platforms. Production and Operations Management, 33(4), 821-837.

[8]. Lin, G. and Cao, X. (2023) Big Data “Price Discrimination against Regular Customers” from the Consumer Perspective. Strait Science, (01), 84-88.

[9]. Zhang, T. (2025) Research on the Protection of Consumers’ Rights and Interests in Big Data “Price Discrimination against Regular Customers.” Yantai University.

[10]. Ouyang, J. (2025) Regulation of Big Data “Price Discrimination against Regular Customers” from the Perspective of the Data Security Law. China Price Supervision and Anti-Monopoly, (09), 42-44.

Cite this article

Wang,Y.;Zhang,G.;Zhang,Z. (2025). Big Data Killing: Price Discrimination in Algorithmic Economy. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,243,51-56.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of CONF-BPS 2026 Symposium: Innovation, Finance, and Governance for Sustainable Global Growth

ISBN: 978-1-80590-557-8(Print) / 978-1-80590-558-5(Online)
Editor: Canh Thien Dang, Li Chai
Conference date: 5 March 2026
Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences
Volume number: Vol.243
ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)