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Spokane council bans algorithmic rent‑pricing tools in 5–2 vote
Summary
The Spokane City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting algorithmic tools that can coordinate rental prices, following public testimony from tenant advocates and housing providers and a nearly two‑hour debate; the measure passed 5–2.
The Spokane City Council on a 5–2 vote adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use of algorithmic tools that can coordinate rent pricing, aiming to limit automated systems that advocates say enable coordinated price increases.
Terry Anderson, director of the Spokane Office of the Tenants Union of Washington State, told the council the practice harms renters and urged a ban. "This is not competition. This is coordination," Anderson said during public testimony, arguing the software can prioritize profit over housing stability.
Supporters described national reporting and studies that show modest average rent…
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