Calls for transparency in UK gig economy algorithms

Gig-economy platforms operating in the UK are currently confronting increasing scrutiny from various civil society groups that are advocating for greater transparency in the algorithms governing the working conditions of numerous individuals across the nation. Privacy International, in conjunction with renowned organisations such as Amnesty International and the Open Rights Group, has initiated a campaign aimed at illuminating the often opaque decisions made by algorithms that affect workers’ day-to-day lives.

An open letter directed at prominent companies, including Deliveroo, Just Eat Takeaway, and Uber, has been circulated by this coalition. The letter calls for the establishment of a public register detailing the algorithms employed to manage gig workers. This register should cover the algorithms that dictate how work is allocated, how performance is evaluated, and the payment processes for workers. According to Privacy International, implementing such a public repository would bridge the existing ‘information imbalance of algorithmic management’, thereby enabling workers to comprehend how automated decisions influence their treatment.

The letter articulates, “We believe the foundation of respect is transparency. Yet current systems withhold vital information from workers – creating precarity, stress, and misery.” This sentiment underscores the coalition’s concerns that the lack of openness regarding algorithmic processes leads to adverse outcomes for workers in the gig economy.

Furthermore, the organisations urge gig platforms to clarify the reasoning behind algorithmic decisions, including the personal data utilised during these processes. They argue that providing insight into the parameters and inputs that algorithms consider would empower workers to contest decisions perceived as unjust or erroneous.

In addition, the coalition, which comprises entities such as the Independent Workers Union and App Drivers and Couriers Union, seeks to enable gig workers and their representatives, alongside public interest groups, to access the algorithms developed by these companies for testing purposes. The groups suggest that this could be realised through the provision of API access to a sandboxed version of the systems, and by making significant algorithms open source. Nevertheless, many companies remain hesitant to share what they often regard as sensitive proprietary information that delivers a competitive edge, particularly given the potential financial implications.

For context, according to Statista, Just Eat accounted for 245 million orders across the UK and Ireland in 2023, generating revenues exceeding £1 billion, with an extensive fleet of 88,000 couriers that collectively deliver over four million orders each week.

Platforms contend that they already provide workers with insights concerning the algorithms in use. For example, Deliveroo has outlined some of the factors that influence the operations of its algorithm, known as ‘Frank’, which determines work assignments for couriers. The company further informed the Guardian that workers have avenues for escalating data-related concerns, and that the most consequential decisions affecting employees involve human oversight.

Despite these assertions, Privacy International and its partner organisations maintain that the transparency afforded by platforms is insufficient. They critique market leaders, such as Just Eat and Deliveroo, for what they describe as ‘automating exploitation’ via algorithmic management practices.

Source: Noah Wire Services