The District of Columbia has lodged a pioneering lawsuit against Amazon for intentionally slowing down delivery times in predominantly Black neighborhoods while continuing to charge full Prime membership fees.
Filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, the lawsuit specifically identifies the 20019 and 20020 zip codes in Wards 7 and 8. In these neighborhoods, nearly 50,000 of its members saw a reduction in delivery speed when it began using third-party services last mid-2022.
Attorney General Schwalb said Amazon had failed to disclose the reduced service levels to customers and called the practice deceptive. “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.
Amazon has denied any discrimination or deceptive practices. Company spokesperson Steve Kelly said the adjustment in delivery methods was because of driver safety, pointing to the targeted incidents of violence in the area. He added that Kelly maintained that Amazon is committed to serving all zip codes and that the timeline for delivery was communicated transparently during checkout.
“We take concerns around safety seriously and are working with local officials to address these issues,”Kelly said. The company also reiterated that its business practices are fair, and it works on delivering as quickly as possible in all neighborhoods.
The suit focuses on how the change disproportionately impacts residents of Wards 7 and 8, already underretailed communities. Many in these neighborhoods rely on Amazon’s Prime service for many of their basic needs because of the limited retail stores nearby. The change to slower delivery times caused substantial inconvenience to the almost 50,000 Prime members in the impacted zip codes, who paid the full $139 annual or $14.99 monthly membership fee.
Community leaders have demonstrated against the disparate service. “This isn’t just about packages-it’s about fairness and dignity,” said a Ward 7 activist. “Residents deserve to be treated like any other neighborhood.”
The complaint alleges that Amazon has engaged in false advertising by failing to disclose the reduced service levels to both new and existing Prime members in the affected areas. It seeks restitution for affected customers, civil penalties, and an injunction to preclude Amazon from similar activities in the future. It also seeks to ensure residents in these neighborhoods receive expedited service as promised and paid for.
This is not the first time Amazon has faced allegations of disparities in package delivery. In 2016, it faced accusations that it was withholding same-day delivery services from predominantly Black neighborhoods in cities including Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago. Those allegations then translated into demands for more transparency and equity in Amazon’s business operations.
Community leaders and activists have termed the lawsuit an avenue for suing corporations for how they treat those underserved communities. They argue that the case underlines the need for clarity, equity, and corporate responsibility in making sure everyone is treated fairly as a consumer.
