Platforms, sex work and their interconnectedness. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swords, Jon; Laing, Mary; Cook, Ian R
• Is Part Of: Sexualities. Volume 26:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 297
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: sex industry -- platform economy -- platform stack -- interpenetration; Sex -- Periodicals; Sex customs -- Periodicals; Sex (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 306.705
• DOI: 10.1177/13634607211023013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1363-4607

Abstract

This article examines the interconnectedness of sex work with the platform economy. It does this by mobilizing two concepts from the platform economy literature: the platform stack (which captures the structure of platforms) and interpenetration (which describes the processes through which platforms intersect). Exploring these concepts, the article draws on a dataset of linked platforms used by 54 cam workers and documented observations of 55 different platforms. These platforms include those designed for sex workers as well as those with a more generalist function. In mapping this platform ecology, the article highlights some of the opportunities, barriers and risks that platform interpenetration presents for sex workers.