Platforms, sex work and their interconnectedness

Jon Swords, Mary Laing*, Ian Cook

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
279 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)277-297
Number of pages21
JournalSexualities
Volume26
Issue number3
Early online date28 Sep 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2023

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