Structural violence of platform capitalism: A case study of online sex workers' experiences

With the rise of Web 2.0 and online sex work platforms, it's important to understand the structural violence faced by online sex workers. Utilising data from an online forum, AmberCutie, and drawing on structural violence as a theoretical framework, we argue that platform capitalism enacts violence against online sex workers structurally, through algorithmic systems and precarious financial payment options embedded within platform interfaces. Platforms exploit workers through algorithms demanding intense competition, unpaid labour, and emotional and moral labour to remain visible to earn a living. This algorithmic bias disproportionately affects low earners, leading to emotional and financial struggles. Payment issues exacerbate economic precarity, as platforms sometimes withhold or refuse payments without explanation, or rely on third-party payment platforms utilising risky offshore bank accounts. Stronger labour protections and access to secure financial resources are necessary to address systemic barriers faced by online sex workers in the digital realm.