Corey B. Jackson

Assistant Professor in the Information School at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, @UWMadiSchool Co-Director of the @UWMadcollab...follow us!

[Ricardo @Ric_RTP]

Amazon just got caught running a secret price manipulation operation with Levi's, Home Depot, Walmart, and many more.

Every time you "comparison shopped" online, you were looking at prices that were already rigged.

Here's what happened:

Amazon would monitor prices on Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, and Chewy in real time. The second a competitor listed a product cheaper than Amazon, they'd contact the brand directly and tell them to "fix it."

And the exact emails are now PUBLIC.

Amazon sent Levi's links to two Walmart listings with the subject line "styles of concern." They basically said the prices on Walmart are too low and we have a problem.

The next day, Levi's responded: "I talked to Walmart and they have partnered with us to take Easy Khaki Classic fit back up to ladder SPP price, $29.99 immediately."

Levi's literally called Walmart and told them to raise the price. Because Amazon told Levi's to make the call.

Walmart complied. Then Amazon matched the HIGHER price.

Both retailers ended up charging more. The customer paid extra. Nobody competed.

Same playbook with Hanes:

Amazon sent them links showing Target and Walmart prices were lower. Hanes confirmed they "reached out to Target and Walmart to have the prices increased."

Target increased the prices. Walmart increased the prices. Amazon kept their margins.

But it gets even worse...

Amazon told Allergan (the company that makes eye drops) that their product was "suppressed" on Amazon because it was cheaper on another site.

Allergan responded: "Walmart got their price back up to $16.99." Amazon then unsuppressed the listing.

They did this with pet treats on Chewy. Furniture on Home Depot. Products across dozens of categories spanning YEARS.

The mechanism is simple but terrifying:

If you're a brand and you sell cheaper on Walmart than on Amazon, Amazon suppresses your product, removes you from the Buy Box, buries you in search results, and effectively makes you invisible to 300 million customers.

Brands can't afford that. So they call Walmart and Target and say "raise your prices or we'll lose our Amazon listings."

Walmart and Target comply because they need the brand's products.

Amazon captures 40 cents of every dollar spent online in America. That gives them the leverage to set prices across THE ENTIRE internet. Not just their own platform.

So turns out, you were never comparison shopping.

You were looking at a coordinated price floor set by Amazon through backroom phone calls between brands and their competitors.

"Amazon is working to make your life more unaffordable."

3 separate antitrust trials are now scheduled for 2027. The FTC has its own case. 18 states plus the DOJ are piling on.

This is literally happening during the WORST affordability crisis in a generation. Groceries up 25% since 2020. Housing unaffordable. Wages flat.

And the largest ecommerce company on Earth has been secretly coordinating with brands to make sure you can't find a cheaper price ANYWHERE.

"Competition" in retail is just a fantasy.

[Don Winslow @donwinslow]

DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE...

CONVENE A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY IN MASS AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF #Zelensky

STOP LETTING REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE NARRATIVE.

[Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal]

I’m demanding Sec. Duffy explain why his agency is suddenly selecting Musk’s Starlink for FAA use after a contract was already signed with Verizon. This new deal reeks of corrupt, self-serving abuse of taxpayer dollars.

[Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett @RepJasmine]

Trump and Vance are an EMBARRASSMENT and DISGRACE. It was absolutely shameful to watch them berate the President of another country. Let alone one of our allies!

Trump saying, “You’re either gonna make a deal or we’re out “is beyond disrespectful.

That’s not leadership—this is a power play with no regard for what’s really happening in the world.

President Zelensky, is literally fighting for his country’s survival!
https://t.co/qdmvPBRzhu

[Corey B. Jackson @cjackso3]

I’m embarrassed. But also maybe #Democrats can take lessons in how you show backbone.

[Chris D. Jackson @ChrisDJackson]

This is so embarrassing for our country. We are a laughing stock on the world stage. Unbelievable.

[Brauer Group Lab @brauerlab1]

Still reflecting on yesterday's incredible Diversity Forum panel! @AMBWinst's expert moderation highlighted such insightful perspectives from @IDS_Wisc affiliates @JirsMeuris, @KyeshaIsadore, and @CJackso3. Thank you all for sparking important conversations.

[Adam Arpin @AdamInCT82]

If the rumors are true that Lauren Boebert is being made Secretary of Education, let George Carlin explain why Trump and Musk are appointing her.

[Corey B. Jackson @cjackso3]

💀

[Jemele Hill @jemelehill]

If I’m @VP, I pay @KevOnStage, Tony Baker and Takia to make this a campaign ad ASAPtually. Y’all watch until the end.

[UW–Madison iSchool @UWMadiSchool]

TODAY (5/7): Don't miss Dashun Wang, Professor at Northwestern University, as he presents at the iSchool at 2 pm on the latest research and promising frontiers in the Science of Science field. More details: https://t.co/MRrnUBFQlB

[UW–Madison iSchool @UWMadiSchool]

🌳Assistant Professor Corey Jackson of @UWMadcollab laid out how his community-focused work is harnessing data and technology to help create more equitable local environmental policies.

[Corey B. Jackson @cjackso3]

My student @ejeong7Ellie is exploring the impacts of GenAI in workplace learning. She's interested in how Software Engineers use tools like Copilot to enhance learning. 🚀

📢 If you're a Software Engineer, please take 15mins to participate. Please share within your networks!

[ELLIE JEONG @ejeong7Ellie]

📣 Calling all Software Engineers! Complete a 15-minute survey and enter to earn $100! 🎊
Our study team from the UW-Madison Information School is seeking participants to take part in a 15-minute survey.

#SoftwareEngineer #SoftwareEngineering #softwaredevelopment #GenerativeAI

[UW–Madison iSchool @UWMadiSchool]

The cutting-edge new School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences building is opening in 2025 and will serve as a hub for collaboration among iSchool students and faculty. Read our latest update on the new building's progress: 🏗️ https://t.co/5001KtN8at

[UW-MadCollab @UWMadcollab]

Check out the recent research spotlight highlighting
@cjackso3's work harnessing community and technology for equitable environmental policy #madcollab

https://t.co/dNMGBsE50g

[Interim Chancellor Eric M. Wilcots @uwchancellor]

Please see my full statement on today’s disappointing decision by JCOER to withhold cost of living adjustments for UW employees.

https://t.co/4Y186fIr5M

[Jimmy Wales @jimmy_wales]

Fast moving claims and counter claims, and @elonmusk has removed all the core features that made it even remotely possible to tell real journalists from fakes.

[Corey B. Jackson @cjackso3]

If you've ever needed a reason not to come to Wisconsin...look no further. electionsmatter

[Scott Bauer @sbauerAP]

Leaders of the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature withheld pay raises for @UWSystem employees while approving raises for other state workers on Tuesday in an ongoing fight over the school system's diversity, equity and inclusion spending.

https://t.co/0OSLIltGEK

[Corey B. Jackson @cjackso3]

Welcome to the University of Wisconsin where "Republican-controlled committee blocks UW System pay raises in approved pay plan" https://t.co/Cphwi6Cx7l

[Corey B. Jackson @cjackso3]

@MeganThreats @US_IMLS Congrats!!

[Corey B. Jackson @cjackso3]

@MeganThreats @UMichNCID Congrats !!!

[UW–Madison iSchool @UWMadiSchool]

Congratulations to Professor Corey Jackson who was awarded an “Increasing Social and Economic Inclusion” grant from @UWiscResearch to support work amplify the voices of Black/Latinx communities in policy decisions. https://t.co/VYArUNJcxT @uwcdis @uwmadisonls