1Kroger
Kroger uses infrared sensors to track customers in their stores; an algorithm then decides how many checkout lines need to be open to reduce wait times.
2LifeLock
LifeLock, an ID protection firm, ran a promotional in which its CEO, being so confident in the service, made his Social Security Number public. This resulted in him being the victim of identity theft 13 times, in addition to a $12 million company fine for false advertising.
3New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema gambled their entire company on the success of the Lord of The Rings franchise, by committing to all three films for more than $270 million up front.
4Pembient
A Biotech firm named Pembient has managed to 3-D print fake rhino horns that are genetically identical knockoffs. The company plans to flood the Chinese rhino horn market at one-eighth of the price of the original, undercutting the price poachers can get and forcing them out eventually.
5Verizon
In 1994, Verizon received $2.1 billion in tax breaks to wire every house in Pennsylvania with 45Mbps fiber internet connection by 2015. Half of all households were to be wired by 2004. When deadlines weren't met Verizon kept the money. The same thing happened in New York.
6Space advertising inc.
In 1993, a company called "Space advertising inc." attempted to launch a giant billboard into low earth orbit. From earth, the billboard would look almost as big as a full moon. After the project was canceled, a bill was introduced that banned any further space advertising.
7Phoebus Cartel
In 1925, General Electric, Phillips, and other light bulb manufacturers colluded against consumers and created the 'Phoebus Cartel'. The Cartel conspired to reduce the 1925 light bulb life expectancy from 2500 hours down to only 1000 hours and at the same time, to increase the price per bulb.
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8Erin Esurance
An insurance company had to stop using their cartoon mascot Erin Esurance because she yielded too much fan-made porn. When searching Esurance online, porn would come up first.
9Mars Inc.
Mars Inc. does not support the practice of deep-frying Mars bars in batter, as “deep-frying one of our products would go against our commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles.”
10Acxiom
A company named Acxiom gathers information on some 700 million people, with up to 1,500 data points per person, for ultra-targeted marketing, down to the list of people who buy particular brands of cereal in your local supermarket.
