My two years report on the hidden scandal of Big Tech

While some are employed directly by the technology companies, many more are used by faceless outsourcing companies-a set-up of the arm length, which enables exploitation and at the same time hinders the accountability obligation.

In the past two and a half years, our team has spoken with around 100 moderators and other security personnel in 12 countries. And although every person has to tell their own story, certain common topics arise: the requirements are high, wages are low, the work is precarious.

The topic that appears most often is the effects of work on your mental health. Workers have described symptoms of depression, PTBs and anxiety; told us about disturbed sleep, trembling and increased sensitivity to noise. In several cases, moderators informed us that they had tried to take life.

Others told me about other, more subtle changes. I was impressed by the number that described a feeling of deafness or desensitization for disruptive images after the first horror decreases. One of the more surprising knowledge of my interviews was the number of moderators who had started smoking.

Employers always offer the moderators a form of mental health, but the quality varies. Some workers in general have those who are employed directly in Great Britain and the USA-access to high quality support for mental health whenever they need it. It is not that easy for others. Tikok Moderators in Telus in Turkey said they had to use their “wellness breaks” to see the in-house psychologist, while several workers from the Tikok contractor in Colombia described the support as inappropriate.

A moderator based in Hondura's resident, who works in the GrindR team in his contractor partnerhero, described the support that is available to him as worthless: “They call them and they go through … The same questions as” How do you feel? “,” Can you only separate for a moment? That's it. ”

(Both teleperformance and partner hero told us that they are committed to the well -being of their employees.