Part 5/13:
Examples like Uber and Airbnb illustrate how platforms serve as intermediaries, charging fees and consolidating control over transactions, often at the expense of service quality and fairness. Uber, for instance, doesn't own cars or employ drivers but acts as the middleman, profiting from transaction fees. Similarly, Airbnb facilitates rent transactions but often prevents direct person-to-person payments in favor of platform-mediated ones, taking a significant cut.