DoorDash got hit with a fine this week for spamming their potential drivers and customers. Also, this week, we see Lyft’s new CEO buying stock in his company to “put his money where his mouth is.”
DoorDash Hit With $2m Fine By ACMA For Breaching Spam Laws
Topic Originally Appeared On ABC
Summary
Online food delivery service DoorDash has been slapped with a $2 million fine for breaching spam rules.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found DoorDash sent more than 1 million texts and emails that breached spam regulations between February and October last year.
The communications watchdog found more than 566,000 promotional emails were sent to customers who had unsubscribed from the messages.
A further 515,000 text messages had also been sent to prospective drivers for DoorDash without an option to unsubscribe.
My Take
While SPAM the luncheon meat is likely not on many of the menus on DoorDash, it’s not surprising they are being slapped with a fine for spamming their potential future drivers and customers with deals and promotions. They want to get the attention of everyone, but they are going about it the wrong way. No one likes too many emails or text messages, especially if you can’t opt out of them.
Everyone knows the “unsubscribe” button in emails is a bit of a joke. It’s always hit or miss if it works how you want it to. For months after punching the “unsubscribe” button, you still receive email after email from companies. But, in this case, it sounds like there wasn’t even that seemingly pretend option to unsubscribe in the first place.
From the article, this is specific to the Australian market, which the rest of the world can heave a sigh of relief over. Hoping this doesn’t happen in other DoorDash markets. It sounds ridiculously annoying.
Lyft CEO Buys $1.15M Of Company Stock: ‘I Am Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is’
Topic Originally Appeared On Fox Business
Summary
Lyft CEO David Risher has bought more than a million dollars worth of the company’s stock, underscoring his confidence in his plans to turn around the rideshare company.
Risher purchased 100,000 shares of Lyft stock worth nearly $1.15 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.
The chief executive, who took over this year to help the company drive down costs, lower rider fares, and ultimately boost its market share, told FOX Business that it’s the best investment he could have made….
My Take
I mean, it is nice to see that he’s investing in his own company, but it doesn’t necessarily ease our minds regarding the future of Lyft. But perhaps it isn’t as doomed as it has seemed over the past several months.
Catch up on the differences between Uber and Lyft pricing and how it affects drivers with Jay’s recent article What the Uber vs. Lyft Passenger Price Difference Means for Drivers
Let’s keep following Lyft to see what else they have up their sleeve.
Lyft, Uber Say They’ll Stop Rideshares If Minneapolis Passes Ordinance
Topic Originally Appeared On MPR News
Summary
Rideshare companies Lyft and Uber are threatening to pull service out of Minneapolis if the city passes an ordinance Thursday that gives drivers more protections and higher pay.
Rideshare drivers have been pressing the Minneapolis City Council to pass legislation that would set a minimum compensation for drivers and create a process for them to appeal deactivations. The push at the city level comes just months after Gov. Tim Walz vetoed a similar bill that passed both houses of the state Legislature.
Minnesota Uber & Lyft Drivers Association (MULDA) president Eid Ali addresses the Minneapolis city council in favor of a proposed city ordinance to give rideshare drivers more protections on Aug. 8. Nina Moini | MPR News
The proposed ordinance would, in part, ensure that any driver who has a ride that originates in Minneapolis would make an equivalent to the city’s minimum wage — $15 per hour.
My Take
And we’re back again with Uber and Lyft threatening to leave Minneapolis if an ordinance is passed mandating a minimum wage for rideshare drivers. Since rideshare has become a staple, it has become a necessity for many people commuting.
As a Minnesotan, I know there were times when I relied on Uber or Lyft to get where I needed to go because the bus system was failing me, and I was running out of time. This is most especially true during snow events in the winter. The bus system is heavily unreliable once the snow starts to fly.
While it might take an Uber or Lyft about twice as long to get to you, they’ll still be more reliable than waiting literal hours (yes, this is based on experience) waiting for ANY bus to show, not even waiting for the bus you actually need. Add to that fact that taxis are also hard to come by downtown. Unless you’re leaving a hotel, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to flag down an actual taxi.
I want the drivers to be paid more and Uber and Lyft to stay. I don’t know if that’ll happen, but it seems to have worked fine in Seattle, so why not Minneapolis?
Americans Can Get One-Time Direct Payment From $46.5million Instacart Settlement Pot – Exact Steps To Apply
Topic Originally Appeared On The U.S. Sun
Summary
A LAWSUIT settlement has generated millions of dollars in one-time payments to thousands of shoppers.
Instacart, a popular app-based grocery delivery company, agreed to pay $46.5million to some customers after the settlement.
A lawsuit filed by San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot alleged that Instacart misclassified its shoppers.
Instacart calls its employees shoppers.
The lawsuit said Instacart shoppers were classified as independent contractors between September 13, 2015, and December 15, 2020.
My Take
California Instacart Shoppers who worked for the platform between September 13, 2015, and December 15, 2020, are eligible for their portion of the pie, which might be as low as $10 or higher. It’s based on how many hours were worked during that time.
If you receive a check from this settlement, share it with us! We love to hear when drivers and couriers have a win.
Uber Driver From Iraq Survives SUV Sprayed With Bullets In DC, Says City Is Like A War Zone: ‘God Saved Me
Topic Originally Appeared On Fox News
Summary
An Uber driver caught in gunfire in Washington D.C. during a drive-by shooting over the weekend said the city feels like a war zone, similar to his native Iraq, which he fled.
The driver, who didn’t give his name to FOX DC, said he was near the Cathedral of St. Matthew on Saturday when a barrage of gunfire hit his Toyota Highlander SUV.
Two passengers inside took cover and were not injured. The driver had minor injuries from broken glass, according to a police report provided to Fox News Digital.
My Take
More and more drivers are finding themselves in these kinds of situations. There are carjackings, shootings, and attacks in major cities nationwide. Atlanta, Chicago, D.C. It’s not what it should be. We need better safety options available. Not everyone can afford to stop driving if it’s not safe anymore.
RSG in the News This Week
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