Digital platform companies such as Uber, TaskRabbit, and Amazon are central to today's economy, connecting consumers to products and services and workers to various labor markets. An estimated 16% of people in the United States have engaged in platform-mediated gig work, with over half relying on this income for basic needs.
Gig platforms hold significant information advantages about the markets they operate in, often using this to increase profits while reducing worker pay. Researchers and advocates are developing tools for workers to collect data about their working conditions. These sousveillance tools allow workers to monitor the companies they work for, contrasting with traditional surveillance tools.
Engaging directly with gig workers could help design more effective technical and policy solutions. Digital platforms collect sensitive information about users, including identity and location data. This control over information benefits platforms but can obscure critical details from users, affecting wages and safety.
Workers and regulators often lack knowledge about the extent of data collected by platforms or how it is used. This lack of transparency hinders collective action and advocacy among isolated gig workers. Researchers have been designing digital tools that enable workers to collect and analyze data independently. Examples include the Shipt Calculator, Turkopticon, and GigSense.
Eurofound's typology categorizes platforms based on service location (on-location or online) and who determines work conditions (platform or client). Differences in these categories affect the design of sousveillance tools. For instance, platform-determined work often involves algorithmic management influencing wages and job offers.
In contrast, client-determined work allows more autonomy but requires maintaining high performance ratings for credibility. Location also affects safety concerns; online workers focus on digital privacy while on-location workers prioritize physical safety.
Researchers should seek input from diverse gig workers to understand what information is valuable to them, their current strategies for mitigating information gaps, questions about their environment, and concerns about using sousveillance tools.
Aligning tool design with worker preferences can improve working conditions across platforms and enhance understanding of platform labor.
