Additional Coverage:
- Amazon sued by DC attorney general for allegedly excluding neighborhoods from Prime delivery (nbcnews.com)
Amazon Accused of Delivery Bias
Washington, D.C.’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the company has secretly withheld Prime’s fast delivery services from certain underserved neighborhoods. Despite paying the same subscription fee, residents in ZIP codes 20019 and 20020 have experienced significantly slower delivery times.
Amazon’s Defense
Amazon claims its actions are necessary for driver safety, as these areas have had targeted incidents against delivery drivers. The company has offered to work with the AG’s office to improve safety.
Historical Disparities
The affected ZIP codes have large Black populations, raising concerns about racial bias in Amazon’s delivery practices. The company has faced previous complaints of disparities in its Prime program.
Consumer Protection Violations
The lawsuit alleges Amazon violated consumer protection laws by not disclosing the delivery exclusions to Prime members in the area and misleading them about the reasons for slower delivery speeds.
Amazon’s Delivery Network
Amazon uses a combination of in-house delivery, third-party carriers, and gig workers to deliver packages. The company has been expanding its in-house operations to speed up deliveries, but this has also increased Amazon’s control over its delivery services.