Not Even Nice Work If You Can Get It; A Longitudinal Study of Uber's Algorithmic Pay and Pricing

2025/06/18 by Reuben Binns, Jake Stein, Binns, Reuben +7 · 6 voices · 1 citation
Computer Science · Social Sciences · #Action (physics) #Audit #Digital Economy and Work Transformation #Equity (law) #Inequality #Longitudinal data #Meaning (existential) #Nice #TRIPS architecture #Work (physics) #cs.CY #cs.HC

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2506.15278

published in arXiv (Cornell University) (Cornell University)

openalex publication_date 2025/06/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

Ride-sharing platforms like Uber market themselves as enabling `flexibility' for their workforce, meaning that drivers are expected to anticipate when and where the algorithm will allocate them jobs, and how well remunerated those jobs will be. In this work we describe our process of participatory action research with drivers and trade union organisers, culminating in a participatory audit of Uber's algorithmic pay and work allocation, before and after the introduction of dynamic pricing. Through longitudinal analysis of 1.5 million trips from 258 drivers in the UK, we find that after dynamic pricing, pay has decreased, Uber's cut has increased, job allocation and pay is less predictable, inequality between drivers is increased, and drivers spend more time waiting for jobs. In addition to these findings, we provide methodological and theoretical contributions to algorithm auditing, gig work, and the emerging practice of worker data science.

Cited by

• Algorithmic Fair Contracts

Discussions

• New paper out today, accepted at #FAccT2025, led by Jake Stein and me: "Not Even Nice Work If You Can Get It; A Longitudinal Study of Uber's Algorithmic Pay and Pricing" arxiv.org/abs/2506.15278 Over [bsky, 132 points, 5 comments]
• "analysis of 1.5 million trips from 258 drivers in the UK, [shows] that after dynamic pricing, pay has decreased, Uber's cut has increased, job allocation and pay is less predictable, inequality betwe [bsky, 5 points, 0 comments]
• 1/ Another study about algorithmic wage-setting!! This one from Oxford and @workerinfox.bsky.social, analyzing 1.5 million Uber trips in the UK, shows how dynamic pricing has made the experience of dr [bsky, 3 points, 1 comments]
• If your #Uber driver says 'use another app', here's why: Uber’s dynamic pricing put up fares, lowered drivers' earnings, but increased Uber’s revenue share. ⬇️Drivers’ hourly income £22 to £19. ⬆️Driv [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
• The research she cites in the article can be found here: arxiv.org/abs/2506.15278 #HR #AcademicSky [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
• This the preprint of the Oxford Study into Uber’s dynamic pricing algorithm “Not Even Nice Work If You Can Get It; A Longitudinal Study of Uber's Algorithmic Pay and Pricing” arxiv.org/abs/2506.15278 [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]

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