DoorDash has announced that it will implement more frequent identity verification for its drivers as part of a broader initiative to combat unauthorized account sharing.
The delivery platform has been facing increased scrutiny to ensure that its drivers are operating within the law. For instance, during the summer months, the company committed to enhancing its efforts in identifying and removing drivers engaging in unsafe driving practices, particularly after numerous complaints arose in various cities.
Authorities in locations such as Boston and New York have reported that numerous individuals with multiple traffic infractions continue to deliver items by using accounts registered in someone else’s name.
Recently, DoorDash disclosed that it would require certain drivers to perform real-time identity checks immediately upon completing a delivery. Previously, these checks were only occasionally requested at the beginning or end of a shift.
The updated verification system has already been rolled out in cities like Los Angeles, Denver, and Seattle, and the company intends to expand this approach further next year.
Additionally, DoorDash has created an advanced machine learning system designed to identify potential unauthorized account access. This system can detect unusual login patterns and dubious activities. When discrepancies are noted, drivers will be prompted to verify their identities again before being permitted to continue delivering.
To work for DoorDash, drivers based in the U.S. must validate their identities using a driver’s license or another form of government-issued ID, and they need to upload a selfie that matches their identification photo. Additionally, background checks requiring a Social Security number must be completed before they can begin work.
The company has observed that some drivers circumvent these requirements by sharing their accounts with authorized users. There have been instances where unauthorized drivers have paid authorized account holders for access to their accounts.
Federal lawmakers are urging DoorDash and similar platforms to improve measures that prevent individuals who are in the U.S. illegally from using their services.
In April, Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Braun of Indiana, and Ted Budd of North Carolina sent letters to delivery services, calling for a stricter crackdown on account sharing practices.
The letters highlighted concerns about undocumented immigrants delivering food without having undergone background checks and often without using their real names. The correspondence concluded by mentioning the potential risks of illegal employment for migrants, which could lead to exploitation and abuse.
Attempts to reach out for comments from advocacy groups such as Gig Workers Rising and Justice for App Workers, which represent delivery drivers, were unsuccessful as no responses were received.
While DoorDash has not disclosed how many drivers may be utilizing shared accounts, the company insists that its security measures are effective. In the previous year, it started requiring drivers to re-verify their identities on a monthly basis through selfie submissions. Currently, the company is mandating over 150,000 drivers to complete these selfie checks each week, with non-compliant drivers facing removal from the platform.
