In February 2024, The Guardian reported delivery drivers for digital platforms including Deliveroo and Uber Eats went on strike on Valentine’s Day in the UK.

The workers were striking for better pay and working conditions. The Guardian notes the workers are classified as “self-employed” contractors, which excludes companies from obligations to pay the national living wage.

Workers note it is difficult to earn the national living wage and describe limited access to information regarding how pay is calculated.

A Deliveroo spokesperson said the company provides workers with flexible work, that rider retensions are high and workers are largely satisfied with their work. An Uber Eats spokesperson said their model offers workers a flexible way of earning through the app and most workers are satisfied.

Later in February 2024, OpenDemocracy published an article alleging Deliveroo used “deliberately inflammatory” language against the striking workers on 2 February, including calling partner restaurants and urging them to call the police to remove the striking workers if the restaurants felt ‘under threat’ or workers were behaving “anti-socially”. The police then allegedly proceeded to disperse the strikers at a strike held later on Valentines Day. The Metropolitan Police denies this.

The president of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain blames Deliveroo for the police presence. A Deliveroo spokesperson responded to journalists: it said it will enter into collective bargaining with workers on pay in April, rejected the claims and highlighted its platforms aims to provide flexible work.

A Guardian article explores how "exploitation" is allegedly "baked in" to the digital platform model, including by underpaying workers. The article suggests the digital platform system is a form of "transferring wealth" by eroding rights.