Digital Platforms and Trust

CRIM72252 Digital Platforms and Trust 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Meropi Tzanetakis Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This course explores the complexities of trust within the digital platform economy and its significant social, economic, and political implications. Students will examine how digital infrastructures influence power dynamics, trust, and market exchanges in online environments. Key topics include the role of cryptocurrencies and cryptomarkets in reshaping financial transactions, as well as the challenges of policing illicit digital platforms, from the Dark Web to international cryptomarkets. Through case studies, the course explores economic crime in cyberspace, emphasising how data harvesting, microtargeting, and the proliferation of darknet platforms create unique challenges for law enforcement. Topics also cover unauthorised data releases such as doxing and whistleblowing and their societal impacts. By studying these areas, students will gain insights into the opportunities and risks presented by the digital economy, along with the strategies for regulating and responding to these evolving issues. This course equips students with critical skills to navigate and assess the multifaceted dynamics of the digital society. This course explores the complexities of trust within the digital platform economy and its significant social, economic, and political implications. Students will examine how digital infrastructures influence power dynamics, trust, and market exchanges in online environments. Key topics include the role of cryptocurrencies and cryptomarkets in reshaping financial transactions, as well as the challenges of policing illicit digital platforms, from the Dark Web to international cryptomarkets. Through case studies, the course explores economic crime in cyberspace, emphasising how data harvesting, microtargeting, and the proliferation of darknet platforms create unique challenges for law enforcement. Topics also cover unauthorised data releases such as doxing and whistleblowing and their societal impacts. By studying these areas, students will gain insights into the opportunities and risks presented by the digital economy, along with the strategies for regulating and responding to these evolving issues. This course equips students with critical skills to navigate and assess the multifaceted dynamics of the digital society. - Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how trust is constructed, challenged, and maintained within the digital platform economy, and the significant social, economic, and political impacts involved.- Introduce students to key theoretical frameworks for analysing the influence of platforms as digital infrastructures on power dynamics, trust relationships, and market interactions in online environments.- Engage students with critical issues related to the digital economy, including the role of cryptocurrencies, cryptomarkets, and the complexities of regulating illicit activities on digital platforms.- Promote critical awareness of the opportunities, challenges, and risks presented by the digital economy, including data harvesting, microtargeting, and unauthorised data releases, and their impact on individuals and society.- Equip students with analytical skills to evaluate law enforcement strategies and regulatory approaches for addressing economic crime in cyberspace, encouraging critical consideration of diverse perspectives on digital regulation and privacy.   Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the establishment, challenges, and maintenance of trust within the digital platform economy  Critically analyse the influence of digital platforms as infrastructures on power dynamics, trust relationships, and market interactions, applying foundational concepts  Apply analytical techniques to assess law enforcement strategies and regulatory approaches addressing economic crimes in cyberspace  Develop self-directed learning and time management skills, enhancing critical analysis and the ability to meet structured deadlines. Overview of the topics to be covered:Platform economy and trust  Platforms: Infrastructure and power relations Online anonymity and market exchange  International cryptomarkets  Cryptocurrencies  Policing illicit digital platforms  Social, economic and political implications  Assessment preparation   The course uses a flipped delivery structure in addition to in class teaching. Prior to in person class, students complete structured learning components including guided readings relevant to the session, reflection on key points or questions they have, and knowledge checks such as quizzes, multiple choice etc. to ensure they understand essential concepts into the complexities of trust, regulation, and power dynamics within the digital platform economy. In addition, one discussion forum for students for each topic in the flipped delivery to engage and apply concepts with the reading materials. Students will be guided structurally to discuss with each other. The discussion forum, along with reflection on key points, enables social learning. The synchronous lecture/workshop sessions build on these foundational concepts, deepening students’ understanding through structured activities. These sessions include guest lectures and active learning tasks such as critical discussions and collaborative problem-solving, which bring real-world perspectives to the key topics. Synchronous seminar sessions focus on student-led learning, allowing students to take an active role in exploring and enhancing their understanding through group discussions and case studies, among others. Students will write an essay on one of the key challenges of the digital platform economy, encouraging independent research and critical analysis. These sessions are designed to enhance individual engagement, with personalised support available each week to guide students through their learning journey. The virtual learning environment will be used to support students’ weekly preparations and point towards further readings. 0 Other 100% Quizzes 20%2000 word essay 80% Digital Trust, Society & Secur Digital Trust, Society & Secur PGDT Taught Component Mandatory Aldridge, J., & Askew, R. (2017). Delivery dilemmas: How drug cryptomarket users identify and seek to reduce their risk of detection by law enforcement. International Journal of Drug Policy, 41, 101-109.Bancroft, A. (2019). The Darknet and smarter crime: Methods for investigating criminal entrepreneurs and the illicit drug economy. Springer.Bartlett, J. (2015). The Dark Net: Inside the digital underworld. Melville House.Gillespie, T. (2010). The politics of ‘platforms’. New Media & Society, 12(3), 347–364. Helmond, A. (2015). The Platformization of the Web: Making Web Data Platform Ready. Social Media + Society, 1(2).Kenney, M. & Zysman, J. (2016). The Rise of the Platform Economy. Issues in Science & Technology XXXII(3), 61-69.Kethineni, S., & Cao, Y. (2020). The rise in popularity of cryptocurrency and associated criminal activity. International Criminal Justice Review, 30(3), 325-344.Leukfeldt, E. R., Kleemans, E. R., & Stol, W. P. (2017). Origin, growth and criminal capabilities of cybercriminal networks. An international empirical analysis. Crime, Law and Social Change, 67(1), 39-53.Martin, J., Cunliffe, J. & Munksgaard, R. (2019). Cryptomarkets: A Research Companion. Bingley: Emerald.Moeller, K., & Sandberg, S. (2015). Credit and trust management of network ties in illicit drug distribution. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 52 (5), 691–716.Powell A., Stratton G. & Cameron R. (2018). Digital criminology: crime and justice in digital society. Abingdon: Routledge.Srnicek, N. (2017). Platform capitalism. Cambridge: Polity Press.Tzanetakis, M. (2018). Comparing cryptomarkets for drugs. A characterisation of sellers and buyers over time. International Journal of Drug Policy, 56, 176-186.Tzanetakis, M. & South, N. (eds., 2023): Digital Transformations of Illicit Drug Markets: Reconfiguration and Continuity, Bingley: Emerald.   Lectures 10 Seminars 10 0 0 This course allows students to:  Identify how trust is constructed, challenged, and maintained within the digital platform economy.Analyse how platforms as digital infrastructures influence power dynamics, trust relationships, and market interactions within online environments.Examine key issues in the digital economy, including the role of cryptocurrencies, cryptomarkets, and the regulatory complexities associated with illicit activities on digital platforms.Demonstrate an awareness of the opportunities, challenges, and risks posed by the digital economy.Assess law enforcement strategies and regulatory approaches to fight economic crime in cyberspace, considering diverse perspectives on digital regulation and privacy.