TAPAS – There Are Platforms as AlternativeS Platform companies, sharing platforms and digital commons

Summary

The TAPAS report explores the emergence of alternative digital platforms that differ from centralized, extractive oligopolistic models, focusing on cooperative and associative traditions. These platforms represent a reaction against commodification, offering innovative models that align with social and environmental transitions. The report studies seven French platforms, examining their governance, economic models, and technological approaches. These platforms, characterized as ‘substantive,’ prioritize community federation, environmental and social values, and democratic ownership. The report highlights their experimental nature, diverse economic models, and challenges in scaling and governance, emphasizing the need for public support and innovative partnerships for their growth and sustainability.