We are pleased to have recently presented our research project at the 5th International Data Power Conference in Graz (September 4-6, 2024). Our presentation focused on the role of private job agencies in the 19th century as forerunners of today’s data brokers.
These agencies played a central role in the labor market by matching job seekers with employers, charging a fee. Drawing on 29 historical newspapers from the Austrian National Library’s archive, as well as other historical sources such as reports of trade inspectors and legislative changes—namely the 1907 amendment to the Austrian Trade Act—we explored the operations of these private agencies and their influence on the labor market.
We examined the growing criticism these agencies faced due to their unfair practices and the societal push for public employment services to address market failures. Furthermore, our work draws parallels to contemporary challenges: just as 19th-century private job agencies amassed significant power, today's tech giants are criticized for accumulating vast data resources, leading to regulatory efforts like the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA). The enduring need for effective regulation to counter abuses of power remains a key issue—both then and now.
Our presentation at the 5th International Data Power Conference linked nicely to the overall theme of the event. Under the theme of our session “Situating Data Power in Data Brokers and their Infrastructures”, our historical analysis of the data power of 19th century job brokers was a valuable addition to the other presentations and keynotes, which examined topics such as data abuse in the digital age, power imbalances in artificial intelligence, and the marginalization of vulnerable groups through data-driven systems. The conference provided an excellent platform for integrating historical and contemporary perspectives on data power, demonstrating the pervasive and enduring nature of these issues in society.