The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday have approved a first-in-the-nation ordinance banning landlords from using certain software and algorithms to set rents.
In a unanimous decision, the board approved the legislation introduced by supervisor and mayoral hopeful Aaron Peskin.
According to Peskin’s office, the measure bans both the sale and use of software “which combines non-public competitor data to set, recommend or advise on rents and occupancy levels.” The measure also allows the City Attorney or tenants who have been affected by the software to file lawsuits.
Yeah, that software is pretty messed up. SF is already expensive enough. Maybe someone can write some retaliatory software that identifies the companies / landlords who are exploiting their assets to gouge the public?