The District of Columbia is suing Amazon, alleging it halted its fastest delivery services in ZIP codes 20019 and 20020—two lower-income and predominantly Black areas—while continuing to charge Prime members for expedited shipping.
Amazon Faces Allegations of Discrimination
The lawsuit claims Amazon shifted from its in-house delivery fleet to third-party carriers like UPS and USPS in mid-2022, resulting in slower delivery times for residents.
Attorney General Brian Schwalb stated that Amazon’s actions disproportionately impacted residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8, areas known for limited retail options and classified as food deserts.
Schwalb stated this disproportionately affected nearly 50,000 Prime members in these underserved areas.
“Amazon is charging tens of thousands of hard-working residents for a service it promises but does not provide,” Schwalb said, according to AP.
The city claims that before the exclusion, over 72% of Prime packages in these areas were delivered within two days. That figure dropped to just 24% in 2022, while other DC neighborhoods saw improvements in delivery speed.
Amazon Cites Safety Concerns
Amazon has denied the allegations, asserting that its decision was driven solely by concerns over driver safety.
Company spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that targeted attacks on delivery drivers led to the shift, describing the attorney general’s accusations as “categorically false.”
She added that Amazon delivered nearly 1.5 million Prime-eligible products within two days to the affected areas since 2022.
However, the lawsuit alleges Amazon misled customers about the slower delivery times, attributing delays to general shipping challenges rather than operational changes.
Historical Context and Next Steps
This isn’t the first time Amazon has faced accusations of unequal service.
A 2016 investigation revealed similar disparities in cities like Atlanta and Chicago, where Black-majority neighborhoods were less likely to have access to same-day delivery.
The lawsuit seeks restitution for affected customers, civil penalties, and an injunction preventing Amazon from engaging in deceptive practices.
Amazon has expressed willingness to collaborate with DC officials to improve safety and reduce crime in the affected neighborhoods while defending its delivery policies.
Feature Image Credit: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
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