Millions of Americans tap their smartphone screens daily to order rides, groceries, or dinner, hooked on the seamless convenience of the gig economy. Yet beneath this frictionless interface lies a brewing war. On one side, consumers are squeezed by volatile and erratic surge pricing, which adjusts to reflect spiking demand or dropping supply. On the other hand, gig workers face manipulative algorithmic payouts, erratic schedules, and the skyrocketing costs of keeping their cars on the road. For