Platform Capitalisms Hidden Abode: Producing Data Assets in the Gig Economy

From Digital Culture & Society

https://doi-org.proxy.library.brocku.ca/10.1111/anti.12641

Contents 1 Overview 2 Research Design 3 Strengths and Weaknesses 4 Assessment

[edit] Overview

Niels van Doorn and Adam Badger, in their article "Platform Capitalism’s Hidden Abode: The second study titled “Making Data Assets in the Gig Economy,” explores the significance of data to gig workers and how it aids in labour exploitation. The authors portray how Uber extracts and commodifies data produced by drivers while depriving them of ownership and management powers over the said data resource. The authors draw attention to the crucial role of driver labor in generating large volumes of data fed to Uber on a daily basis. The data assets of the company include drivers movements, passenger preferences and route optimization data that improve the platform efficiency and profitability. Additionally, the article highlights that Uber makes substantial profits from monetizing driver-generated data, which is a direct benefit for Uber at the expense of the drivers. Such an asymmetric exchange of data turns drivers labor into valuables, making profits for the platform instead of compensations for workers. The authors also highlight how Uber drivers are not privy to how much data they produce nor do they have any control. It demonstrates the exploitative nature of this relationship because the drivers are not informed on how their data is collected, used, shared and they have no governance or monetization control of this valuable resource.

[edit] Research Design

This papers research design involves a critique of data and data asset dependence model of platform capitalism in the gig economy represented by Uber. The authors used a combination of literature review, policy content analysis, interviews, and surveys to discuss the data collection and utilization process. The hypothesis of this article surrounds the idea that big data extracted from gig workers feeds the platform capitalism. In this case, the authors aimed at demonstrating that Uber exploits data produced by drivers, thus tipping the balance in favour of the platform and unfavourable towards the workers.

[edit] Strengths and Weaknesses

One important strength of this article is its attention to the intersection of data exploitation and gig work. The authors explore a crucial dimension of contemporary capitalism by descending into the darkest recesses of data assets. The article comprehensively portrays the one-sided communication that occurs between the workers and the platforms in the gig economy making the whole picture clearer. However, an analysis of the adverse effects of data exploitation on the society would be helpful to the article. Talking about the wider ramifications of such exploitation to privacy, equality and digital rights, can enhance the articles societal relevance.

[edit] Assessment

The article maintains that platform capitalism is characterized by a form of capitalism that exploits the data generated by the workers. This shows why we need new regulatory systems that will cater for the question of data ownership and that workers should be sufficiently rewarded for their contribution towards the data economy.