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Ticketmaster cultivated precious lessons when software attacks critically interrupted the sale of Taylor Swift’s 2023 US tour. However, the parent company of Taylor Swift will supposedly to face the US Senate later. The reported attack devastated systems of Ticketmaster causing massive delays with disappointing thousands of fans. Most of them were not succeeded to buy seats for the shows.

The president of Live Nation, Joe Berch informed in written testimony released before the hearing on Tuesday. He said there are various things that we can do much better. Berch acknowledged that the sale was considered a horrible consumer experience. He also apologized to most of his disappointed fans. Ticketmaster has frequently experienced criticism from politicians and fans.

Ticketmaster’s 70% Sales in the US

They said the platform has significant control in the live music market. It ostensibly amplifies the cost of tickets including fees and service charges. A Senator Amy Klobuchar chairs the US Senate Committee on consumer rights. She said Ticketmaster is accountable for at least 70% of ticket sales in the United States. Klobuchar said actually, there isn’t any other option and it is a cartel.

Klobuchar pointed out that customers have experienced higher fees from the Swift tour site interruptions and cancellations. They showed Ticketmaster sustains a commanding market position and the company doesn’t bear any pressure to constantly improve and upgrade. Swift also said it was intense to experience that fans were struggling to buy tickets.

Ticketmaster Ensured to Manage the Demand

Swift stressed that Ticketmaster has ensured to effectively manage the demand. The company explained for the first time in its written testimony that how software bots targeted its systems. Those software bots used its systems to get tickets criminally. The attacks happened in spite of the use of verified fan scheme of Ticketmaster. However, it needs customers to pre-register their interest.

Meanwhile, customer’s pre-registration enables the company to examine if they are actual fans committed to see the show. Berch said the company already knew that bots could attempt planned attacks eventually. The company hit with 3 times the amount of bot traffic compared to the platform ever experienced. It was the first time in 400 Verified Fan on sales as it happened after Verified Fan accessed code servers.

Software Bots Slowed Down Ticketmaster’s Systems

Berch said the attack ultimately slowed down and even halt the company’s sales. But the bots were unable to perforate the company’s systems or get any tickets. This move generated horrible consumer experience that was massively ashamed. He also recognized that the firm should have astonished the sales over a longer period to prevent overloading its systems.

Meanwhile, Berch said it should have done an excellent job setting fan prospects for obtaining tickets. Finally, around 2.2 million tickets were sold with less than 5% ending up on resale sites. The scalpers on resale sites were head to charge higher prices. He responded to other criticisms and said Ticketmaster doesn’t fix ticket prices. So, the amount of extra fees goes to the site not to Ticketmaster.

US Senate Judiciary Committee Started a Testimony

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing generated disaster to Swift’s tour. The Committee will investigate reported competition in the ticketing industry. US senators are expected to hear representatives over an outspoken critic regarding business practices of Ticketmaster. These representatives are from Seat Geek, Live Nation, and Clyde Lawrence (concert promoter JAM Productions).

The testimony of Live Nation includes various supporting letters including one from Garth Brooks (a country star). The letter from Brooks called on US legislators to take a stricter attitude on ticket boosts. He said an attack of bots during an on-sale was a massive cause behind program failure. Brooks said the customer is the one who traditionally pays for this outrage. It is still unclear if the hearing will generate any advancement.