District Of Columbia Sues Amazon Over Delivery Service Discrimination

An Amazon Prime truck is seen on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Amazon will reports earnings on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the company of halting its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods without informing them. The lawsuit centers around Amazon's Prime membership, which promises fast deliveries for a fee of $139 per year or $14.99 per month.

In mid-2022, Amazon allegedly implemented a delivery exclusion in two low-income ZIP codes, relying solely on third-party services for deliveries instead of its own systems. Amazon cited concerns about driver safety as the reason for this change, stating that there had been targeted acts against drivers in those areas.

The District of Columbia's attorney general's office claims that Amazon failed to disclose the delivery changes to Prime members in the affected ZIP codes, resulting in slower deliveries without explanation. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon charged residents for a service it did not provide, impacting nearly 50,000 Prime members in those neighborhoods.

The district argues that Prime members in the two ZIP codes received significantly slower deliveries compared to other parts of the city, with delivery speeds dropping from 72% to 24% within two days after the exclusion was implemented. The lawsuit seeks restitution for affected Prime members and civil penalties against Amazon for unfair or deceptive practices.

Amazon allegedly excluded two low-income ZIP codes from its fast delivery service.

DC sues Amazon for stopping fast delivery to Black neighborhoods without notice.

Amazon cited driver safety concerns as the reason for the delivery exclusion.

This is not the first time Amazon has faced accusations of offering slower services in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Previous reports have highlighted disparities in delivery services in cities like Atlanta and Chicago.

Amazon has defended its actions, stating that it prioritizes driver safety and is transparent with customers about delivery times. The company has offered to collaborate with the attorney general's office to address safety concerns in the affected areas while maintaining fast and accurate delivery services.

The legal battle between Amazon and the District of Columbia continues, with the district also pursuing an antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant.