Annoyance Economy Costs Americans $165bn as Firms Profit from Consumer Frustration
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Apr 19
Annoyance Economy Costs Americans $165bn as Firms Profit from Consumer Frustration
11 articles · Updated · Financial Times · Apr 19
The so-called 'annoyance economy'—including hidden fees, spam, and obstructive customer service—costs American consumers an estimated $165 billion annually.
A Stanford University economist's report finds companies often design frustrating processes, such as difficult subscription cancellations, to boost profits by up to 200%.
Public frustration is widespread, with calls for lawmakers to address these practices as AI-driven customer service makes resolving issues even harder.
Is the $165 billion 'annoyance economy' an intended feature of modern capitalism?
Could AI be redesigned to fight the 'annoyance economy' it helps create?
How much personal time are you losing to frustrating customer service interactions?
As federal consumer protection weakens, who holds corporations accountable for junk fees?
Why do companies risk customer loyalty for short-term 'annoyance economy' profits?
Are state 'click-to-cancel' laws actually protecting you from hidden subscription fees?