Doordash order matching algorithm

Occurred: April 2021

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Drivers for food delivery company Doordash have launched #DeclineNow, an apparently successful campaign against the company's low pay rates by gaming its order matching algorithm. 

According to Bloomberg, two drivers  worked out that the platform automatically reallocates a delivery order at a slightly higher rate after another driver has declined it. 

The movement now counts over 40,000 members and aims to ensure no delivery job is made for less than USD 7. However, to what extent the gambit proves sustainable the gambit is an open question. 

In April 2020, Doordash, Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats were accused of abuse of monopoly by only listing restaurants if their owners signed contracts which include clauses that require prices be the same for dine-in customers as for customers receiving delivery.

Databank

Operator: Doordash 

Developer: Doordash
Country: USA

Sector: Transport/logistics

Purpose: Determine rider compensation

Technology: Order matching algorithm 

Issue: Employment - pay; Fairness
Transparency: Governance; Black box

Page info
Type: Issue
Published: April 2021
Last updated: December 2021