Beyond Surveillance Capitalism: Digital Platforms as Moral Architectures in Hyper-local Transactions

• In Event: Economic Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Roundtable 3: AI and Algorithms

Abstract

While the platform economy is predominantly understood as on-line transactions and theorized through the lens of surveillance capitalism, in-person transactions and the role of moral economy remain under-researched. This qualitative study investigates Karrot Market, South Korea’s leading hyper-local second-hand marketplace, which prioritizes face-to-face transactions within limited distances. It examines Karrot Market’s specific features that serve as algorithmic architectures facilitating multifaceted transactions. The findings reveal that political economy coexists with moral economy within the platform economy. Karrot Market operates not merely on the logic of surveillance capitalism, but also through gift economy and trust-based transactions. By intentionally imposing physical constraints and quantifying social capital, the platform acts as a moral architecture rather than a mere extractor. The study identifies altruistic, economic, and strategic reciprocity associated with the gift economy. Furthermore, it delineates interpersonal, place-based, and technical trust formed in market transactions.

Authors

• Taehoon Kim, Kyunghee University

• Eun sung Kim

• Bora Jin