tech
From concerts to train rides, bots are winning the ticket wars
From concerts to train reservations, automated bots have become the latest target in the fight against ticket scalping.
TL;DR
- Automated ticket-buying programs, known as bots, are increasingly used to purchase concert tickets and train reservations, reselling them at higher prices.
- A survey in Singapore indicated that 65% of respondents felt ticket scalping prevented genuine fans from attending events.
- Governments in South Korea and China have introduced new rules and held meetings with companies to combat automated ticket purchasing and scalping.
- Detecting bots requires analyzing multiple data patterns, not just a single indicator, according to experts.
- Ticketmaster employs methods to block bots, identify fake accounts, and cancel violating orders, but acknowledges sophisticated networks mimic human behavior.
- Limited ticket availability and monopolistic practices by companies like Live Nation and Ticketmaster exacerbate the problem of inflated resale prices.
- The issue extends beyond bots, involving complex supply and demand dynamics, deceptive pricing tactics, and consumers unknowingly purchasing from resale platforms.
- Addressing the problem requires a combination of regulation, business policy, and well-connected systems, as no single fix is sufficient.