Tech & Financial Policy 

Tech Workers Rights

As Big Tech continues to grow into a dominant force within the US economy, concerns are rising about its impact on workers' rights. The industry's hiring and firing practices, often marked by instability and a reliance on an expendable workforce, have raised alarms. At the same time, working conditions in warehouses, data centers, and even office environments can leave employees physically and mentally strained, with little regulatory oversight in an industry that employs a significant portion of the US population. While both Democrats and Republicans campaign on protecting working and middle-class families, the question remains: who is truly advocating for workers in the face of the immense power held by Big Tech?

    • In 2024, 542 tech companies collectively laid off 151,484 employees, a reflection of broader trends in the industry.

    • As AI technology continues to rise, it offers the potential for greater profits, often with fewer personnel required.

    • Employment, on the other hand, comes with significant costs, including taxes, healthcare, and retirement benefits, which companies are required to provide. Meanwhile, automation is subject to far fewer costs, with little to no additional financial burden on companies.

    • This dynamic presents important questions about the future of work, the balance between automation and employment, and the long-term impact on both businesses and workers.

    • Content moderation is a challenging and demanding job that can take a significant toll on employees, often leading to mental health struggles such as PTSD, with limited support from employers.

    • Moderators frequently work long hours, sometimes up to 10 hours a day, reviewing distressing and harmful content to help companies maintain their content policies and ensure safe online environments.

    • While many of these roles are outsourced to countries with varying working conditions, there are also content moderation teams within the US who face similar pressures and mental health challenges.

Blockchain and Financial Inclusion

Around 1.4 billion people worldwide lack access to basic financial services, limiting their economic opportunities and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Blockchain technology, known for its decentralized and transparent systems, offers potential solutions to address this issue. It could help reduce costs, simplify cross-border payments, and provide secure digital identities, thereby empowering individuals excluded from traditional banking systems. However, challenges remain, including unclear regulations, accessibility concerns, and security risks. For blockchain to truly impact financial inclusion, these obstacles must be carefully addressed and navigated.

    • Over 1.4 billion adults don’t have access to banks or financial services, limiting their ability to save money, borrow, or invest.

    • This exclusion is a major obstacle to economic development and keeps many people trapped in poverty.

    • Blockchain eliminates the need for intermediaries, cutting costs and speeding up transactions.

    • Smart contracts automate processes like loans or insurance, making them more efficient and reliable.

    • People can use blockchain to create secure digital identities, opening doors to financial services for those without formal IDs.

    • Digital Identity: Blockchain can provide reliable and secure digital IDs for millions of people who lack formal identification.

    • Faster, Cheaper Payments: Cross-border remittances, essential for many families, can be done more efficiently and affordably through blockchain.

    • Access to Credit: Blockchain-enabled micro-loans and peer-to-peer lending can help underserved populations gain access to credit.

    • Regulations: Many governments haven’t figured out how to regulate blockchain, creating uncertainty for both developers and users.

    • Access Issues:  In areas with limited internet access or low digital literacy, blockchain remains out of reach.

    • Security Concerns: Blockchain isn’t invulnerable. Without proper safeguards, it can be exploited or misused.

    • Clear regulatory frameworks that promote innovation while protecting consumers.

    • Better infrastructure and education to bring blockchain technology to underserved areas.

    • Collaborative efforts to ensure blockchain solutions are practical and inclusive.

The Gig Economy and Tech Regulation

The gig economy, facilitated by online platforms that connect service providers with buyers, plays an increasingly significant role in the livelihood of millions of Americans. This type of labor—freelance, temporary, or contractual—is distinct from traditional permanent employment, with workers offering their services on-demand. Common examples include ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, food delivery platforms like DoorDash and GrubHub, and other niche, short-term services. While many gig workers seek supplemental income outside their primary jobs, a growing number rely on gig work as their full-time employment.

As the gig economy continues to expand with advancements in technology, challenges arise, particularly due to unclear or absent tech regulations. These issues affect all stakeholders—gig workers, consumers, platforms facilitating the services, and governments responsible for regulation. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring a balanced and sustainable gig economy for all involved.

    • Labor roles in the gig economy provide additional income for over one-third of the American workforce, with the average hourly rate being $21 an hour. 

    • Slightly over a third of freelancers working in the gig economy treat their post as their primary, full-time position. 

    • Platforms collect vast amounts of data on both workers and consumers, including preferences and contact information, raising significant privacy concerns.

    • Strengthening data privacy laws and giving workers control over their personal data can protect individual rights without crippling platform functionality.

    • Over-regulation could provide insurmountable barriers to innovation, stifling the growth of popular freelance-work platforms and harming the gig economy. 

    • There exists a challenge in balancing regulations that address systemic issues such as data privacy with those that stifle innovation and growth.

    • The rise in the prominence of online platforms in the gig economy, such as Uber and Doordash, provides platforms with significant control over pricing, access, and algorithms, often without sufficient transparency.

    • Regulation should require platforms to disclose how algorithms impact worker pay, scheduling, and customer interactions to ensure fairness.

    • Many workers in the gig economy are classified as independent contractors which denies them benefits such as health insurance, unemployment protections, and paid leave. 

    • While freelance labor positions are distinct from their full-time, traditional counterparts, policymakers should holistically consider that gig workers receive fair compensation, benefits, and protections.

A Path Forward

The potential for technology to transform financial inclusion is enormous, but it won’t happen without focused effort. Addressing barriers like regulation, accessibility, and security requires collaboration between governments, tech innovators, and philanthropy. Resources are needed to fund research, pilot programs, and infrastructure development to make developments in financial technologies tool for positive change.

Further, the gig economy presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring collaborative action to ensure its sustainability and fairness. Policymakers must create balanced regulations to protect workers and ensure transparency while fostering innovation. Philanthropic organizations can support research to guide evidence-based policies, while consumers can advocate for equitable treatment of gig workers.

By investing in these causes, donors can help build a future where everyone has the financial tools they need to succeed.

Organizations Working Towards Progress

  • TWC is a coalition of tech workers, labor organizers, and community activists working to build worker power through self-organization and education. With a focus on inclusivity and equity, the organization supports movements for social justice, workers' rights, and economic inclusion. TWC is democratically structured, all-volunteer, and worker-led.

    For more information or to discuss the impact of a gift, contact hello@techworkerscoalition.org.

  • SSIR, affiliated with Stanford University but independent of its funding, is supported by contributions from partners, readers, and donors. Donations help expand SSIR's coverage of social innovation, produce conferences and webinars, and fund global collaborations. SSIR has informed and inspired social innovators for 20 years.

    To donate, visit ssir.org/donate.

  • The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan policy institute focused on improving Americans' lives through progressive ideas and strong leadership. The organization seeks to change the national conversation and shape the future of policy.

    To donate, visit actblue.com/donate/center-for-american-progress-1.

  • The Mojaloop Foundation is on a mission to improve financial inclusion for people in low-income communities. Its flagship initiative, Mojaloop, is an open-source software platform designed to make digital payments more accessible and affordable. By enabling different financial services providers to work together seamlessly, Mojaloop helps people send and receive money—even in regions where banking infrastructure is limited. The platform is already making a difference in several countries, connecting small businesses, families, and individuals to the financial systems they need to thrive. If you're looking to support a technology-driven solution for financial inclusion, Mojaloop is a great place to start

    Learn more: Mojaloop Foundation

  • The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) focuses on building a fairer, more inclusive financial system using blockchain technology. Its Stellar network enables fast, low-cost cross-border payments, which are especially critical for families relying on remittances. By partnering with organizations and financial institutions worldwide, SDF is helping bring financial services to underserved communities. Beyond payments, Stellar supports projects like microfinance and asset tokenization, making it a versatile tool for economic empowerment. The foundation is dedicated to creating a world where money moves as easily as email.

    Learn more: Stellar Development Foundation

  • As one of the world’s leading philanthropic organizations, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been a driving force in promoting financial inclusion. Through initiatives like Mojaloop, the foundation aims to create opportunities for millions of unbanked and underbanked people. Its efforts focus on supporting innovations that break down barriers to financial services, from digital payment systems to micro-lending platforms. The foundation also works with governments and financial institutions to scale these solutions, ensuring they reach the people who need them most. By supporting this work, you’re contributing to a future where everyone has access to tools for economic independence.

    Learn more: Gates Foundation 

  • The Interledger Foundation is reshaping how money moves across the internet. By promoting the use of the Interledger Protocol (ILP), the foundation is creating a global standard for seamless and secure online payments. ILP allows financial systems to connect, making it easier for people and businesses to send and receive money, no matter where they are. The foundation also supports projects aimed at improving financial access for underserved communities, including initiatives that teach digital skills and promote financial literacy. If you want to support a vision of an open, connected financial system, the Interledger Foundation is worth exploring.

    Learn more: Interledger Foundation 

  • The NDWA advocates for fair labor standards and rights for domestic workers, including those engaged in the gig economy. The organization supports campaigns for better wages, benefits, and protections for gig workers, ensuring their voices are heard in policy discussions.

    Learn more:NDWA

  • The Future of Work Initiative focuses on developing policies that support workers in non-traditional employment arrangements, including gig workers. The initiative conducts research and collaborates with policymakers to create solutions for an evolving workforce.

    Learn more: Aspen Institute

  • The CDT advocates for robust data privacy protections and transparency in digital platforms. Their work on platform accountability and fair algorithmic practices is particularly relevant to the gig economy.

    Learn more:CDT

  • Upwork’s social impact initiative focuses on empowering freelancers by providing access to resources, training, and support. They also partner with organizations to promote sustainable practices in the gig economy.

    Learn more: Upwork for Good

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