Deutsch: Ausbeutung / Español: Explotación social / Português: Exploração / Français: Exploitation sociale
Exploitation is the use of someone or something in an unjust or cruel manner.
Most often, the word exploitation is used to refer to economic exploitation; that is, the act of using another person's labor without offering them an adequate compensation.
In the industrial and business context, "exploitation" refers to the unethical or unfair treatment of people, resources, or information for personal or corporate gain. Here are some examples of the use of "exploitation" in this context:
- Labor exploitation: A company may exploit workers by paying them low wages or subjecting them to poor working conditions.
- Resource exploitation: A company may exploit natural resources without regard for the environment or the local communities affected.
- Intellectual property exploitation: A company may exploit a patent or copyright by using it to prevent others from entering the market or charging exorbitant licensing fees.
- Data exploitation: A company may exploit personal data by using it for purposes that individuals did not consent to or by selling it to third parties without their knowledge.
Other similar terms used in the context of unethical or unfair treatment are:
- Abuse
- Misuse
- Oppression
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Coercion
- Subjugation
- Injustice
- Predation
All of these terms refer to actions or practices that are considered unethical or unfair and that result in harm or disadvantage to individuals or groups.