The platformisation of illicit drug markets: How datafication, technological affordances, and platform-mediated labour practices shape illicit drug markets

Abstract

Digital technologies go beyond merely facilitating illicit drug exchanges; they actively reconfigure and reorganise interactions in illicit drug markets. In this article we consider the ongoing evolution of illicit drug markets against the backdrop of platform capitalism in order to conceptualise the platformisation of illicit drug markets. The platformisation of illicit drug markets illustrates how drug markets are becoming contingent on the technological, economic and socio-cultural logics of digital platforms. We explore three key themes that are useful in framing the process of platformisation: (i) the datafication of drug markets, (ii) platform affordances and drug exchanges and (iii) platform-mediated labour practices. These themes unpack the transformations underway in illicit drug markets, but the paper also invites broader conversations on how criminology engages in discussions of crime in an era dominated by technology giants (e.g. Meta, Google and Amazon).