Popova S.M. Latent exploitation of users of digital platforms as a norm of the techworld: to articulation of the problem for social research. Conflict Studies ...

Текст статьи на сайте журнала URL: https://nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=33522 (дата обращения 10.09.2020)

Abstract

The subject of this article is the substantiation of problematic situation that requires attention of social sciences. Rapid transition of multiple types of relations of citizens with official structures and economic agents to digital form is accompanied by contradictory consequences. The facts demonstrate that in the conditions of techworld, latent exploitation of users of digital platforms becomes the norm. This phenomenon already caught the attention of economists, media theoreticians, specialists in the area of information systems and strategic managements, but still has not become the subject of interests of social scientists. The author describes the examples of paid professional activity, which regular citizens are forced to carry out without due compensation, if they desire to use digital gadgets, platforms and various services. The differences between latent exploitation and acquisition of labor through crowdsourcing are demonstrated. A conclusion is made that the concept, according to which digital platforms exploit users “not as employees, but the audience” requires appending, since in addition to production of Big Data, the users unconsciously and without compensation fulfill actual labor functions for the corporations and “digital government”. This aspect requires an in-depth social research.