Platform Poverty: The Social Consequences of Algorithmic Invisibility on Gig Workers

Abstract

The proliferation of digital platforms has fundamentally transformed labor markets, creating new forms of economic vulnerability among gig workers. This paper examines "platform poverty," a phenomenon characterized by the systematic marginalization of workers through algorithmic systems that determine access to work opportunities. Through analysis of contemporary research and case studies, this study explores how algorithmic decision-making processes render certain gig workers invisible, thereby perpetuating economic inequality and social exclusion. The research reveals that platform algorithms, while appearing neutral, embed biases that disproportionately affect vulnerable worker populations, creating a new class of digitally mediated poverty. The findings suggest urgent need for regulatory frameworks and platform accountability measures to address these systemic inequities.