This approach has been around in the US for a while, ex:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistbot
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Calls

It’s not “spam”. This article is heavily biased.

They are “journalism vegans”. They are choosing to abstain from actual journalism for clickbaiting, herd mentality, and personal lack of skill reasons.

I’m not sure how “suspicious behavior” could be relevant to a seller issuing you a refund.

“suspicious behavior” is just a BS term used for switching the blame back to the consumer. Kind of like “for your convenience, we are [removing a capability]” or “for your safety, we are [taking away a right.]” You are correct that it makes no sense.

Plot twist: once you accept the wheel without reinventing it, you have to pay a monthly wheel subscription.

Vassal - an open-source (LGPL-2.1) boardgame engine. basically, people build different modules for each game they want to play, then they can play that game over the internet or solo. Mostly focused on “chit-and-hex” style wargames.

• https://vassalengine.org/
• https://github.com/vassalengine/vassal

There are ways to get around customized pricing. All depend on denying AI programs data on past purchases and knowledge of who you are. First, when shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, use paper money. Yes, good old-fashioned cash is private and leaves no data trail that follows you online.

Second, once online, clear your cache. Your search history and cookies provide algorithms with extensive amounts of information. Many articles say the protective power of clearing your cache is an urban myth. However, this information was based on how airlines used to price tickets. Recent analysis by the FTC shows the newest AI algorithms are changing prices based on this cached information.

Third, many computer pricing algorithms look at your location, since location is a good proxy for income. I was once in Botswana and needed to buy a plane ticket. The price on my computer was about $200. Unfortunately, before booking I was called away to dinner. After dinner my computer showed the cost was $1,000 − five times higher. It turned out after dinner I used my university’s VPN, which told the airline I was located in a rich American neighborhood. Before dinner I was located in a poor African town. Shutting off the VPN reduced the price.

Last, often to get a better price in face-to-face negotiations, you need to walk away. To do this online, put something in your basket and then wait before hitting purchase. I recently bought eyeglasses online. As a cash payer, I didn’t have my credit card handy. It took five minutes to find it, and the delay caused the site to offer a large discount to complete the purchase.