Critical platforms in the platform society: Aiming for public values

Abstract

In the current platform society, some public values are endangered through the use of platform mechanisms. This critique is mostly focussed on infrastructural platforms that are at the core of the platforms ecosystem. At the same time, there are also alternatives available that try to solve this problem. Ecosia and Brave are two examples of platforms that claim to serve the common good. The focus of this thesis is on this type of platforms, which are referred to as critical platforms. Critical platforms critique how public values are endangered, but in what ways is it justified that their platforms serve the common good? Platforms like Ecosia and Brave seek profit and have a central business model, but try to use their assets for good and aim at making the internet a better place that respects public values. Therefore, this thesis examined how critical platforms that focus on public values can be understood in the platform society. This by finding the discursive promises and claims that are made, and investigating these claims to understand their dedication to public values. The analysis showed that the use of the term critical platforms has contributed to understanding Ecosia and Brave better, because this has disclosed the friction that these platforms are facing. Critical platforms are not yet at the core of the ecosystem and rely on others to offer their services, which makes it hard to compete with the more dominant platforms that lead the market. However, these platforms have the advantage of being able to include public values in the core of their business and their institutional design, instead of performative claims or changes after pressure by the public. Their way of taking responsibility is important for giving examples of how online platforms can realize public values and play a responsible and vital role in the ecosystem.