Data Transparency and Regulatory Imperatives in Platform Work

At this year's meeting of the Research Network the 'Digital Transformation' research network by the Hans Böckler Foundation, Sina Häusler and Dr. Sonja Mangold presented empirical results from a study on data processing in location-based platform work in Germany, the USA, and China. The study indicates that German Gigwork platforms are comparatively more transparent regarding data collection in work processes, but transparency gaps still exist. Chinese platforms often lack information on data handling. Therefore, there is a need for legislative action to strengthen uniform employee data protection on work platforms. Current proposals from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community for an Employee Data Protection Law also include (solo) self-employed platform workers.