Part 8/13:
Moreover, the industry is often accused of exploiting up-and-coming talent, offering deals that benefit the platform or the investors more than the creators. For example, platforms often allocate significant pre-payments to top-tier creators but then retain rights to their content—posing a risk that future shifts in platform policies could threaten creator independence and ownership.
Power, Content Curation, and the Illusion of Neutrality
The concept of platform neutrality is challenged repeatedly. Platforms like Kickstarter, Patreon, and Webtoons have all been accused of gatekeeping or censorship, often claiming to be neutral but ultimately favoring certain voices over others.