Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies on Gig Platforms: CalPrivacy Audit, FTC Refunds, Walmart Settlement, State-Level Actions, and California Unionization

California's privacy regulator (CalPrivacy) launched its first sectoral audit targeting gig platforms, focusing on geolocation, biometrics, and algorithmic decision-making. This adds to existing regulatory actions: FTC sending $2.7M refunds to Handy/Angi workers, Walmart Spark drivers' $13M wage theft settlement, and state-level bills in India (Maharashtra, Karnataka) mandating minimum wage for gig workers. A new policy proposal would impose a 1099 fee on employers using contractors to fund Social Security. Additionally, California rideshare drivers finally have a union under AB 1340 (passed 2025), a landmark shift for gig worker collective bargaining. These actions signal growing government oversight of gig economy labor practices and data handling. Broader context: the 'disposable worker' trend affects 35% of workers, with policy solutions like ABC test and unionization gaining traction. UK gig workers face declining pay leading to illegal modifications and account renting.