Problem here is that “Open source platform” is a meaningless term. Open Source is a type of license that regulates how to redistribute source code. None of those principles apply to services and platforms, which are about data and control. If the Uber app would be Open Source, but still had to connect to the Uber server and play by its rules, nothing would change. Meanwhile if it played by its own rules, what rules would that be? There are no established rules for an “open” service platform, especially not when it comes to platform that have review and reputation systems build in.

Simply put, it’s really not clear how you can be “open” yet at the same time provide any level of protection against fraud and abuse.