Recreating a social media-based network society: the resistance of Chinese couriers and the regulation of platform capitalism

Drawing on case studies, this article analyses the features of the labour regime created by Chinese food delivery platforms and the characteristics of couriers’ resistance under this regime. While the power asymmetry between platforms and couriers creates a new form of capitalist exploitation that results in discontent, the multiple outsourcing control system adopted by Chinese platforms has resulted in the extreme atomisation of delivery workers. Despite increased social control and online censorship, social media remains a space for tactical innovations allowing couriers to overcome atomisation and defend their rights. This article investigates how couriers use the Internet to act collectively, recreate a collective and appeal to the public of consumers to build broader solidarity in an attempt to change the power asymmetry with the platform. It argues that although courier protests do not bring about changes in national law, they may change company rules.