For Steve McDougall, the flexibility of delivering for Uber Eats and DoorDash was a lifeline, allowing him to care for his family and attend his daughter's softball games. — For Steve McDougall, the flexibility of delivering for Uber Eats and DoorDash was a lifeline, allowing him to care for his family and attend his daughter’s softball games.

Deactivated: The Peril of a Gig Worker’s Life

Gig workers for app-based services like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash face significant financial instability when they are suddenly “deactivated,” often for unclear or disputed reasons. The article highlights the story of Steve McDougall, a delivery driver in Massachusetts, who relied on Uber Eats and DoorDash for his income. After being abruptly deactivated by Uber for alleged “fraudulent activity,” his weekly earnings were nearly cut in half, plunging his family into financial distress just as their rent increased. The deactivation was later found to be the result of an algorithm likely misinterpreting frequent orders from a regular customer. Although his account was eventually reinstated, the story illustrates a widespread issue: deactivations are common, largely unregulated, and can have catastrophic consequences for workers who have little recourse or safety net.

To me, the most interesting this was the response on social media, like facebook, and the number of other drivers who said this happened to them too.

A sudden email from Uber, citing "fraudulent activity," cut off a vital income stream, leaving McDougall to wonder how he would support his family. — A sudden email from Uber, citing “fraudulent activity,” cut off a vital income stream, leaving McDougall to wonder how he would support his family.

"It's not great money, but it's freedom," said McDougall, who depended on gig work to look after his daughter and two parents with disabilities. — “It’s not great money, but it’s freedom,” said McDougall, who depended on gig work to look after his daughter and two parents with disabilities.