Is UbiComp denying workers’ rights?
ø
Imagine a scenario wherein a middle school girl plays a puzzle solving game frequently online. She is successful and brilliant at the game, and her efforts are leveraged to solve real-live computational issues, but she is never given any compensation, social or otherwise. Her brother also finds satisfaction in tasks online on a site that awards small payments for menial tasks. On average he is able to make around minimum wage for these efforts and also finds them enjoyable, but he has no workers compensation, no union and definitely not a guarantee of pay for hours worked, as payment is awarded based on his ability to successfully complete a task according to metrics assigned by his benefactor.
They both have a choice to go elsewhere for entertainment and monetary gain, but is it ethical for the businesses perpetuating the systems to operate in this way? Is either scenario fair? Would you personally be willing, either for enjoyment or monetary compensation to participate in either activity? How could either situation be more advantageous for those participating? Are worker’s rights required for menial tasks online? Why or why not?
