McDonald's faces a federal lawsuit in Illinois.
麥當勞在伊利諾州面對一起聯邦訴訟。
The lawsuit says McDonald's AI pricing tool breaks antitrust law.
訴訟說,麥當勞的AI定價工具違反反壟斷法。
This tool shares some private data.
這個工具會分享一些非公開數據。
This data may go to franchisees. These franchisees compete in the same market.
這些數據可能給在同一市場競爭的加盟商。
This lawsuit was filed on Friday.
這起訴訟在週五提起。
The lawsuit says the tool uses AI to collect data.
訴訟說,這個工具用人工智慧收集數據。
Franchisees usually do not share this data, like store sales.
這些數據加盟商通常不會分享,例如門店層級的銷售額。
The lawsuit also says this pricing system made prices higher at McDonald's USA.
訴訟還說,這個定價系統造成麥當勞美國的價格上漲。
McDonald's said on Tuesday that the lawsuit is "full of inaccuracies."
麥當勞週二表示,訴訟「充滿不準確之處」。
The company said it will defend itself strongly.
公司說,它會大力為自己辯護。
McDonald's said AI does not set menu prices. The franchisees do.
麥當勞說,AI不會設定菜單價格,加盟商才會。
The company said franchisees can use these tools. But it is optional.
公司表示,加盟商可以使用這些工具,但這是選擇性的。
The tools do not automate, coordinate, or fix prices.
工具不會自動化、協調或固定價格。
This lawsuit was filed by Michael Thomas.
這起訴訟由麥可·湯瑪斯提起。
He is a customer in DeKalb, Illinois.
他是伊利諾州迪卡爾布的一名消費者。
The lawsuit says Thomas often orders a Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries, and a Coke.
訴訟說,湯瑪斯常點四盎司牛肉起司堡、薯條和可樂。
He noticed that prices are different at stores near his home.
他注意到住家附近門店之間的價格不同。
McDonald's said it has used AI pricing tools for over ten years.
麥當勞表示,它使用AI強化的定價工具已超過十年。
This program decides the best price based on some factors.
這個程式根據一些因素來決定最佳價格。
These factors include store sales, location, and competitor prices.
這些因素包括門店銷售額、位置和競爭對手價格。
McDonald's said it collected data long before it used AI tools.
麥當勞說,早在採用AI工具之前,它就收集數據。
It also suggests prices to franchisees.
它也向加盟商推薦價格。
These franchisees own and run 95% of McDonald's 14,000 US stores.
這些加盟商擁有並經營麥當勞14,000家美國門店中的95%。
But the lawsuit says McDonald's has "a lot of power" over franchisees.
但訴訟說,麥當勞對加盟商擁有「重大影響力」。
It can make them follow its price advice.
它可以迫使他們遵循定價建議。
The lawsuit asks the judge to make this a class action.
訴訟要求法官將此案認證為集體訴訟。
The lawsuit also asks McDonald's to pay money as compensation.
訴訟也要求麥當勞支付賠償金。
The lawsuit also wants to stop McDonald's from using agreements that limit competition.
訴訟還想阻止麥當勞執行限制競爭的協議。