Digital labor exploitation and the myth of progressive tech industry

Jack Linchuan Qiu, professor at the School of Journalism and Communication in Hong Kong, compares digital labor exploitation to historical slavery, coining the term 'iSlavery' to describe forced digital productivity in global production systems. He contrasts this with the ideology of 'iCitizens' who believe in a fair and progressive digital industry. The alliance between Apple and a major Taiwanese manufacturer exemplifies how digital manufacturing now mirrors material manufacturing, with labor exported to Southeast Asia for low costs. Qiu likens this to the Atlantic slave trade, but with labor moved instead of workers. Meanwhile, MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito controversially stated that Donald Trump is more 'tuned in' with his book 'Whiplash' than Hillary Clinton, suggesting a convergence between the tech industry and reactionary culture. The article criticizes the unchecked growth of digital product sales, lack of market alternatives, and planned obsolescence that benefits corporations at the expense of consumers and workers.