Gig economy workers in the UK and Ireland are increasingly calling for more transparency around the algorithms used by food delivery platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. These platforms use complex systems to assign jobs and determine pay, and workers say this has led to declining wages and worsening working conditions. In Edinburgh, delivery riders report earning significantly less than before, with some saying their income has dropped by about half over the past four years. This decline is linked to the growing use of automation and dynamic pricing, which adjust pay based on real-time demand and other factors. The concerns are being addressed by the Workers’ Observatory, a group co-founded by gig workers and academics from St Andrews and Edinburgh universities. The observatory aims to research and challenge the opaque conditions faced by gig workers. Xabier Villares, a rider and lead organizer, noted that working conditions have deteriorated in recent years, making it harder to earn a living wage. The group has secured long-term research funding and has conducted studies on how dynamic pricing algorithms affect pay. These algorithms, used by platforms to adjust prices based on demand, have drawn criticism from trade unions for creating unpredictable earnings. In a recent test, riders in Dunfermline, Fife, logged into delivery apps at the same time and rejected offers below a set rate. Some saw their pay rates temporarily increase, while others were penalized—some even had their accounts deactivated without clear reasons. Deliveroo’s algorithm, named Frank, uses machine learning to predict order times and assign deliveries efficiently. However, rider Graeme Frances faced issues with facial recognition technology after an accident, which prevented him from accessing the app. Deliveroo acknowledged the issue but said a manual review would have allowed him to continue working. Riders also report a steady decline in average pay per delivery. Dylan, a Deliveroo rider for over five years, noted that the average pay per order dropped from £3.67 in 2023 to £3.42 in early 2026, despite maintaining the same delivery rate. He believes this is due to algorithmic changes and the introduction of “stacked orders,” which offer lower fees for multiple nearby deliveries. While platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat claim riders earn more than the national living wage while on deliveries, this does not include time spent waiting for job offers. Deliveroo stated that its algorithm ensures a minimum hourly rate, which was increased this year, and that major account decisions are reviewed by humans. Uber and Just Eat similarly emphasized that their systems balance multiple factors to ensure a good user experience.