plattformkapitalisme

Platformkapitalism is an economic model in which digital platforms act as intermediaries that organize and profit from the exchange of goods, services, and information. These platforms do not own most of the assets involved in the transactions; instead they coordinate the interaction between users and providers and extract value primarily through data, access, and attention.

Key features include two-sided or multi-sided markets, where the platform must attract both suppliers and customers; network effects that reinforce dominance as more users join; and algorithmic management that shapes behavior and pricing. Revenue often comes from commission fees, subscription models, advertising, and data monetization. Platform power tends to concentrate, enabling winner-takes-most dynamics and cross-subsidization across markets.

The social and economic effects are debated. Platform capitalism can spur rapid matching efficiency and innovation, but it can also generate precarious work conditions, wage suppression, and surveillance-based labor management. Concerns about data privacy, asymmetries of information, and anticompetitive practices have led to regulatory interest and policy proposals in various jurisdictions.

Examples of sectors dominated by platform capitalism include ride-hailing, short-term accommodation, e-commerce marketplaces, social media, and cloud services, with global platforms connecting hundreds of millions to billions of users.