Nationwide — The District of Columbia is suing Amazon, claiming that the company stopped its fast delivery service for residents in two predominantly Black neighborhoods while still charging them for it.
According to AP News, the lawsuit alleges that Amazon excluded residents in the 20019 and 20020 zip codes in Washington, D.C. from fast deliveries offered with Amazon’s Prime membership, which costs $139 annually or $14.99 monthly.
Amazon reportedly began using third-party delivery services like UPS and the U.S. Postal Service in mid-2022 instead of its own delivery system in these neighborhoods. The company says these operational changes prioritized driver safety and denied accusations of discrimination.
However, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argued that Amazon did not notify its Prime members in these zip codes about the changes, nor did it disclose the delivery limitations to new members when they signed up.
“Amazon is charging tens of thousands of hard-working Ward 7 and 8 residents for an expedited delivery service it promises but does not provide,” Schwalb said in a statement. “While Amazon has every right to make operational changes, it cannot covertly decide that a dollar in one ZIP code is worth less than a dollar in another.”
In the two zip codes, the lawsuit revealed a significant drop in delivery speed — from 72% in 2021 to 24% last year. Nearly 50,000 Prime members in these areas were affected, many of whom rely on the service due to limited local stores.
The lawsuit demands Amazon stop misleading practices, pay damages to affected customers, and face penalties. This isn’t the first time Amazon has faced similar allegations, with reports showing slower deliveries in neighborhoods with large Black populations, like in Chicago and Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Amazon maintains that it is transparent with its customers and continues to prioritize safety and delivery accuracy.
“What we’d like to do, and have offered, is to work together with the attorney general and their office in an effort to reduce crime and improve safety in these areas,” said Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel. “Nevertheless, we will proceed in the process and demonstrate that providing fast and accurate delivery times and prioritizing the safety of customers and delivery partners are not mutually exclusive.”
Source: BlackNews.com
