Digital slavery as a new form of slavery and a new paradigm of subordination in the modern world

Slavery as a social phenomenon has a centuries-old history, transforming and adapting to different eras and social conditions. In ancient times, it manifested in the form of physical subjugation and forced labour. During the Middle Ages, it took on an economic and feudal character, and in the era of colonialism, it became institutionalised. However, modern technological changes have led to the formation of new forms of dependence, which can be referred to as digital slavery. While slavery was previously associated with physical shackles, today it manifests as economic dependence, data manipulation and technological control. The aim of this article is to analyse the evolution of slavery from antiquity to the digital era, identify and evaluate new forms of digital slavery in modern society, and explore how technology and artificial intelligence are shaping a new system of subjugation. Special attention is given to the impact of digital slavery on Latvian society. The study employs the following methods:

Historical–analytical method—to study the evolution of slavery;