OpenCourier: an Open Protocol for Building a Decentralized Ecosystem of Community-owned Delivery Platforms

2025-11-04

AI Summary

This paper addresses three critical challenges in the gig economy: (1) power imbalances arising from platform monopolies, (2) information asymmetry due to opaque algorithmic decision-making (“algorithmic black boxes”), and (3) value misalignment in infrastructure design. To tackle these issues, we propose the Open Delivery Protocol (ODP)—the first community-governed, open protocol for last-mile delivery. ODP adopts a decentralized architecture integrating distributed communication, blockchain-based incentive mechanisms, and open-source collaborative governance. It enables worker-led decision-making, end-to-end algorithmic transparency, and bottom-up ecosystem co-construction. Technically, ODP defines standardized interoperability interfaces and cross-platform coordination protocols among autonomous communities, validated through prototype implementation. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in worker bargaining power, task visibility, and system auditability. ODP thus provides a scalable, protocol-level foundation for equitable and sustainable gig economy infrastructure.

Technology Category

• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Multiagent Systems: Mechanism Design
• Game Theory and Economic Paradigms: Mechanism Design

Application Category

• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Trust and reliance of crowd workers and data experts on GenAI
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Decentralized Web and Fediverse systems
• Responsible Web: Human-perceived consequences of algorithmic deployment on the web

Abstract

Although the platform gig economy has reshaped the landscape of work, its centralized operation by select actors has brought about challenges that impedes workers'well-being. We present the architecture and design of OpenCourier, an open protocol that defines communication patterns within a decentralized ecosystem of delivery platforms. Through this protocol, we aim to address three key challenges in the current economy: power imbalances between the platform and workers, information asymmetries caused by black-boxed algorithms and value misalignments in the infrastructure design process. With the OpenCourier protocol, we outline a blueprint for community-owned ecosystem of delivery platforms that centers worker agency, transparency, and bottom-up design.

Problem

• Addresses power imbalances between platforms and workers
• Reduces information asymmetries from black-boxed algorithms
• Corrects value misalignments in infrastructure design process

Innovation

• Open protocol enables decentralized delivery platform ecosystem
• Addresses power imbalances via community-owned platform model
• Ensures transparency through open communication patterns