Was Ticket Master's investigation prompted by Taylor Swift's influence on Congress?

Was Ticket Master's investigation prompted by Taylor Swift's influence on Congress?

No, Taylor Swift's influence did not prompt Ticket Master's investigation; rather, it was the result of a consumer protection campaign that had been underway for several months. The investigation uncovered deceptive practices on the part of Ticket Master, including hidden fees and unjustified surcharges. As news of these findings spread, Taylor Swift spoke out against such unscrupulous behavior, helping to elevate public awareness about the issue.

However, In the past, Taylor Swift has spoken out against Ticketmaster, citing the company's role in the secondary ticket market. She has urged Congress to look into the company's practices. As a result, this essay will examine Taylor Swift's motivation for raising these concerns. It will also examine why Congress should investigate Ticketmaster in order to gain a better understanding of what is happening.

Ticketmaster is one of the largest secondary ticket marketplaces in the world. The company has been criticized due to the fact that it resells tickets, has an opaque ticket sales process, and refuses to sell tickets to certain events. This is because it resells tickets.

Ticketmaster has been the subject of a congressional investigation because Taylor Swift believes the company has a negative impact on the music industry as well as the fan experience. Therefore, she has asked Congress to investigate its practices. As a result, she believes that Ticketmaster needs to be regulated so that consumers are protected and that the music industry can function fairly.

It should not be underestimated how much influence Taylor Swift has on Congress. In addition to having a large following, she is also a well-known figure, which makes her message more likely to resonate. Taylor Swift recently used her influence to speak out against Ticketmaster's alleged monopolization of concert ticket sales. She argued that the company was inflating prices and making it difficult for her fans to buy tickets to her shows. As of October 27, 20221, Taylor Swift had over 336 million fans and followers across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and 48.8 million YouTube subscribers.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, announced on June 21 that it was launching an investigation into the ticketing industry due to numerous complaints from consumers. This investigation will be centered around the issue of transparency in ticket pricing and the ability for consumers to purchase tickets at face value.

Ticket Master's defense is that it has worked hard to create an effective, user-friendly platform for ticket purchasing and selling. They have invested significant resources in developing the technology behind their system, which ensures a smooth and secure experience for customers. As such, they are confident in providing people with a safe, reliable way to purchase or sell tickets. Furthermore, Ticket Master also employs rigorous security protocols to protect personal information, making sure that every transaction is conducted securely and with maximum privacy protection. Ultimately, these measures demonstrate the company's commitment to providing consumers with an unparalleled level of service.

Ticket Master has been criticized for its business practices. Most recently, the company has been criticized for its high fees, which can make up as much as 25% of the face value of the ticket. These fees often exclude the company from having to pay taxes. The company has also been criticized for its anti-bot tech that prevents many people from purchasing tickets.

References:

Cable News Network. (2023, January 24). 'I am the problem. it's me': Senators quote Taylor Swift during ticketmaster hearing | CNN business. CNN. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2023/01/24/taylor-swift-ticketmaster-hearing-senators-quote-lyrics-contd-orig-ht.cnn-business

Sisario, B., & Stevens, M. (2023, January 24). Ticketmaster cast as a powerful 'monopoly' at Senate hearing. The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/24/arts/music/ticketmaster-taylor-swift-senate-hearing.html