Global Labor Dynamics and Privacy in Online Platform Markets

The rapid expansion of online platform markets is transforming labor dynamics and economic structures globally, raising significant concerns about workers' rights and privacy. While the EU Platform Work Directive represents a crucial step towards granting platform workers employee status, challenges remain on a global scale. This study employs a bibliometric analysis of 1,145 publications, utilizing Scopus data and VOSviewer software, to explore key themes related to privacy and working conditions in platform work. Our findings reveal that, although interests in protecting workers' rights and privacy are globally shared, implementation varies across regions. For example, Germany's emphasis on separating intelligence-gathering from law enforcement, rooted in its historical commitment to protecting individual dignity and privacy, contrasts with the U.S., where integrated undercover tactics are more readily employed, reflecting different privacy priorities. The analysis reveals the complexity and diversity of perspectives surrounding platform work and privacy concerns across different regions. While the global interest in protecting workers' rights is evident, the approaches to addressing these issues vary significantly, shaped by historical, cultural, and legal contexts. The contrast between Germany's cautious stance on surveillance and the more integrated practices in the U.S. reflects deeper societal values and priorities. These differences highlight the challenges of crafting universally applicable regulations and underscore the necessity for dialogue and cooperation in developing balanced, culturally sensitive solutions that respect both economic innovation and fundamental rights.