China’s delivery drivers pushed to the brink by food app algorithms

Big data algorithms on food delivery apps are reportedly pushing China’s delivery drivers to the edge by allocating them shorter delivery time, effectively encouraging dangerous driving. After years of unrestricted growth and soaring demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, food delivery companies now face scrutiny over their treatment of freelance workers, who are often subjected to low pay and few if any benefits. Chinese authorities have launched a crackdown demanding that companies comply with labour protection laws.