Workers under surveillance capitalism

Image: Thomas Windisch
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By FERNANDO NOGUEIRA DA COSTA*

Algorithms monitor digital workers through technologies based on data collection and analysis

On robotic car assembly lines, there are still workers, but in smaller numbers and with altered roles. They generally perform tasks such as supervision, maintenance, quality control, and technical adjustments. In addition, there are specialized operators and engineers with higher education who are responsible for programming, monitoring, and managing automation, and who receive higher salaries. Automation has reduced the amount of repetitive manual labor, but it has increased the demand for technical skills and specific knowledge.

In the digital age, remuneration for services provided varies widely. It takes different forms, depending on the nature of the work and the relationship between the contractor and the provider.

Among the main remuneration models, there is also the fixed salary according to the traditional model. Workers, for example, developers or analysts hired by companies, in sectors where there is a formal employment relationship, such as technology companies or corporate services, have formal contracts with a fixed monthly salary. They offer employment benefits depending on the country's legislation).

Another form is “project-based remuneration” (percentage or fixed), when service providers receive a negotiated amount for the execution of a specific service or project. It can be a percentage of the budget, that is, a portion proportional to the total cost of the project.

The fixed amount is set based on complexity and scope. This type of project-based remuneration is popular in freelance or freelancing in design, programming, consulting, directing advertising videos, etc. For example, a graphic designer charges 10% of the budget for an advertising campaign.

Another method is payment by the hour or task, which is common on digital platforms or in temporary contracts. Compensation is calculated based on the number of hours worked or the number of tasks completed. For example, developers charge by the hour or translators charge per translated word.

There is also the “subscription model” or retainers. Providers receive a fixed periodic fee (monthly, quarterly) to provide ongoing services.

The relationship is less formal than traditional employment, but it offers stability for both parties. This is the case of a business consultant. marketing digital contracted by subscription to manage social networks.

Another method is payment by results or commissions. Remuneration is directly linked to the results obtained, such as sales, leads or goals achieved.

It is common in sectors such as sales, marketing affiliate marketing or digital ad management. For example, a paid traffic manager receives 15% of the revenue generated by ads.

The platform economy (Gig Economy) uses workers (drivers, delivery people, freelancers) who are paid for services performed, without a direct employment relationship. Digital platforms set the rates, which may include additional fees for specific times or regions. This is the case of app drivers who earn per ride.

Finally, there is also profit sharing or equity. Professionals in startups or collaborative projects receive part of the profits or shares of the company in exchange for services. For example, a programmer accepts equity (equity participation) instead of immediate payment in a startup emerging.

In the digital age, compensation models are flexible and adaptable to market conditions and the nature of the work. While formal jobs with fixed salaries still predominate in large companies, the digital economy has opened up space for alternative forms of payment, such as payment by project, subscription or results, offering more options for providers and contractors.

In this new world of work, there is one key issue: algorithms monitor digital workers through technologies based on data collection and analysis. They aim to measure productivity, goal achievement and behavior patterns. The most common forms include:

Digital work platforms such as Uber, Amazon Mechanical Turk and Upwork monitor workers in real time through activity logs (time online, clicks, deliveries or tasks performed) and geolocation (route and location tracking) as in the case of drivers or delivery people. Acceptance/rejection rates are used to control accepted or rejected tasks.

There from software Business monitoring. Companies use tools such as Time Doctor, Hubstaff or Teramind, which are capable of monitoring computer usage through screenshots, application usage and browsing history.

They check for downtime, when there are periods without mouse or keyboard movement. They evaluate communications by analyzing emails, messages and calls.

Certain systems use algorithms to evaluate workers based on metrics such as productivity rates, that is, the number of tasks or deliveries completed. They also observe the feedback from the customer with ratings and comments.

Data is used to predict performance or even turnover risk. It is a predictive and/or preventive behavior.

In addition to algorithmic monitoring, other surveillance practices in digital work include biometric surveillance with facial recognition technologies, fingerprint reading and eye tracking to control access to systems and equipment and monitor attendance at meetings or tasks.

Surveillance also takes place through devices such as cameras, microphones and sensors installed in work environments or equipment provided by the company. To make matters worse, there is mandatory self-assessment: workers are often required to fill out reports or check ins automatic, complementing algorithmic surveillance.

Some companies even monitor public social media profiles to assess the behavior or opinions of their employees.

Surveillance capitalism is an economic model in which companies collect, process and trade large volumes of personal data, often without the full consent of individuals. This practice is based on the exploitation of data as the primary economic resource.

Companies collect detailed information about users and workers (behavior, preferences, location). This data is analyzed to predict behavior and influence decisions, such as consumption or productivity.

Data is also sold to advertisers or used internally to optimize processes and maximize profits. Examples of surveillance capitalism include platforms like Facebook and Instagram monitoring interactions to offer personalized ads.

On work platforms, companies like Uber use data from drivers and passengers to adjust fares and routes. There are also smart devices in devices like Alexa and Google Home: they continuously collect user data.

For digital workers, constant monitoring creates feelings of oppressive surveillance, pressure and anxiety. Automated algorithmic assessments result in unfair cuts or arbitrary penalties, with precarious employment relationships and loss of privacy. Personal and behavioral data is often exploited without transparency.

For society, large corporations hold enormous power over data and social decisions. Marginalized communities are more exposed to algorithmic exploitation. The manipulation of behaviors and choices limits individual freedom and reduces each person’s autonomy.

Surveillance algorithms and technologies have radically transformed digital work, making it more monitored and controlled. While these tools promise efficiency, they also raise ethical questions and critiques of surveillance capitalism, which is based on exploiting data for profit at the expense of workers’ privacy, freedom and dignity.

*Fernando Nogueira da Costa He is a full professor at the Institute of Economics at Unicamp. Author, among other books, of Brazil of banks (EDUSP). [https://amzn.to/4dvKtBb]


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