This was posted on reddit}. (linked changed to /r/assholedesign as it has more comments) A person found an $87 price difference when searching between 2 devices at the same time.
What would be interesting is to work out what will get you a cheaper price. It has been posted elsewhere to clear your cookies when searching for a flight, but I don''t know how true this.
Perhaps searching from a cheap mobile device vs latest model iphone.
I don't think that stops all the other stuff eg browser type, device type, and of course they get your location from your IP.
Wifi vs 4G connection for different IPs, if you really feel the need.
Device has no effect.
why does the device have no effect? I imagine they would make prices more expensive depending on the device type.
@spackbace: Of course people with iPhone xs max 512gb in gold, will get more expensive prices than a Xiaomi red whatever… /S
@spackbace: you didn't answer my question - why does it have no effect? That information is passed so it would be stupid to think it is not used. I would imagine some sort of AI program does it all.
Have you heard of browser fingerprinting? Even if you clear all the cookies they still can identify you.
you didn't answer my question
And I still won't, and I still have no need to.
Hell, Reddit put the challenge up to prove anyone could get different prices, yet no one could.
You're going to tell me the website knows the CPU on your PC to alter prices too? Come off it.
And I still won't, and I still have no need to
Ok cool.
Hell, Reddit(reddit.com) put the challenge up to prove anyone could get different prices
Not quite the same thing there bud, the bounty was to prove that you could get cheaper prices with incognito mode, that actually supports my theory that they are using other data too in order to work out what price you see.
You're going to tell me the website knows the CPU on your PC to alter prices too?
Oh so you haven't heard of browser fingerprinting. Visit https://amiunique.org/. I never said CPU you got passed. Your browser type/version, your OS type/version are all passed, which could give a fair idea of how much a person spent on the device, so tell me why would they not use this information?
so tell me why would they not use this information?
I don't need to disprove your theory, you need to prove yours.
Go ahead, go test it yourself and report back. Good luck.
@spackbace: I didn't need to prove anything to you grandpa, but I love how you talk with such authority and confidence on A subject you know very litle about.
I said they are probably using it (I don't know for sure) but I do know every simgle peice of data possible is collected and used to sell stuff to us.
Can you tell me some stories about World war 2.
@[Deactivated]: Sigh really? You don't even know my age and you feel the need to stoop that low?
A grandpa would be the sort to research a salt and pepper grinder, need help from a community to change their SMS tone to something 'cool', and complain about a squeaking roller door.
It also would be common of the older generation to scoff at their wives because of a lack of respect.
It's also like older people to get caught up in conspiracy theories, such as this post or what smart speakers are listening to.
But please, go on, everyone hear loves your ranting. Again something typical of the older generation.
@spackbace: Ok grandpa here is an article that proves me right and you wrong you crazy stalker.
http://business.time.com/2012/06/26/orbitz-shows-higher-pric…
@[Deactivated]: 2012, and wasn't devices, was computer software. And not flights.
Try again :)
You also didn't credit the original commenter.
@spackbace: Yes and as I said earlier software (operating system) can tell you what device is being used. This is exactly what I have been saying all along.
So you claim that there is not a single flights selling website that customizes prices depending on device/operating system That's a pretty extra ordinary claim to make.
I see you having these arguments almost every day. Are you proud of yourself. How do you think others view you.
Anyway I am off to figure out how to block a crazy stalker troll on OzBargain.
Anyway I am off to figure out how to block a crazy stalker troll on OzBargain.
I'm sure you'll need to create a post to ask for help 😂
@[Deactivated]: Yeah, they definitely use IP tracking & cookies etc but they aren't tracking your device information
In the US, Orbitz apparently tried to charge more from people browsing on a Mac.
http://business.time.com/2012/06/26/orbitz-shows-higher-pric…
Just use Google flights this way airlines can't track your device and probably cookies won't matter as well
LinusTechTips addressed an aspect of this theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utsnt6GFrKo
If my memory serves me correct, your search history and the number of times you search for flight/route (cookies) may up ticket prices (on same device).
The video also experiments pricing with location.
In regards to device information and that Reddit post… there needs to be a framework to standardize variables. One variable is the privacy of operating systems. The Reddit post shows Windows 10 and iOS. Windows 10 has a reputation (among privacy advocates) to be terrible at protecting your privacy. In a worst case scenario, your searches are logged (particularly while using Microsoft Edge browser), saved and sent to Microsoft. Could this trigger the pricing difference as seen in the image? Maybe, or maybe not. From that point, I have no idea what Microsoft does with this data. Search histories are valuable information to businesses and could affect pricing.
Kogan did a browser stunt in 2012. Users who used Internet Explorer 7 was charged more for purchases: https://www.kogan.com/au/blog/new-internet-explorer-7-tax/
In summary, websites can see your user agent (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_agent), and can use this info for whatever algorithms.
And to think it was not so long ago (just pre Internet) that the wider Australian community was up in arms at the government proposal of introducing an Australia Card, largely because of its invasion of privacy.
How things change.
The web browsing invasions of privacy as described in this thread are just as potentially insidious, or more so, but are begrudgingly accepted because of the broader benefits of the Internet. Why is it so?
Incognito mode, if you don't know how to delete cookies.