Should Policymakers be Involved? Understanding the Opinions and Needs for Independent Food Delivery Platforms in the United States regarding Public Policy

TL;DR

This paper explores independent food delivery platform operators' opinions on public policy in the U.S., revealing diverse perspectives and specific policy suggestions to address issues with mainstream platforms.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into independent platform operators' views on policy, highlighting conflicting opinions and potential policy directions.

Findings

Operators have mixed views on policy involvement.

Some advocate for policies to limit mainstream platforms.

Insights inform sociotechnical policy challenges.

Abstract

Mainstream food delivery platforms, like DoorDash and Uber Eats, have been the locus of fierce policy debates about their unfair business and labor practices. At the same time, hundreds of independent food delivery services provide alternative opportunities to many communities across the U.S. We surveyed operators of independent food delivery platforms to learn about their perception of the role of public policy. We found conflicting opinions on whether and how policy should interact with their businesses, ranging from not wanting policymakers to interfere to articulating specific policies that would curtail mainstream platforms' business practices. We provide insights for technologists and policymakers interested in the sociotechnical challenges of local marketplaces.