Deliveroo, Glovo face Italian antitrust investigation over rider claims
Italian Antitrust Authority Investigates Food Delivery Giants
MILAN, May 6 (Reuters) - Italy's antitrust authority said on Wednesday it had opened investigations into the Italian arms of Spanish food delivery service Glovo, controlled by Germany's Delivery Hero, and British meal delivery company Deliveroo over alleged misleading claims about the treatment of riders.
Alleged Misleading Claims and Ethical Standards
According to a statement from the authority, the companies may have presented to consumers, including in codes of ethics and "about us" website sections, an image based on ethical standards and social responsibility that did not reflect reality, particularly regarding riders' working conditions, legal compliance and the use of algorithms.
Company Responses to Investigation
Glovo's and Deliveroo's Italian arms said they were fully cooperating with the antitrust authority and would provide all information needed to support the investigation.
Statements from Glovo and Deliveroo
"The company operates in line with high internal standards and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations," Glovo's unit said.
"We will continue to engage transparently with all relevant authorities to demonstrate that we operate responsibly and in compliance with the law," Deliveroo's local arm said.
Inspections and Broader Sector Scrutiny
Officials from the authority, assisted by Italy's financial police, carried out inspections on Tuesday at the offices of Foodinho and Glovo Infrastructure Services in Italy, as well as at Deliveroo Italy.
The investigations come as Rome has stepped up scrutiny of the food delivery sector, which has grown rapidly in recent years but has faced repeated regulatory and legal challenges over workers' rights, the use of algorithms and the classification of riders.
(Reporting by Alessia Pé. Editing by Louise Heavens and Mark Potter)
