In the wake of George Floyd's murder, a number of large corporations and businesses looked for ways to support marginalized communities. Some businesses donated money, others started scholarships and a few created programs to hire more people of color. Uber Eats and Door Dash used their platforms to support Black-owned businesses by offering free delivery from these establishments. These food delivery apps felt that eliminating delivery fees would encourage customers to purchase food from these restaurants and increase business for Black entrepreneurs. While this initiative was supported by many, a group of non-Black restauranteurs felt that it was discriminatory and pursued legal action against Uber Eats and Door Dash. More than a year after these campaigns kicked off, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has ruled that Door Dash, Postmates and Uber Eats can no longer implement these campaigns because they are the "wrong thing" to do.
“Even with the best of intentions, corporations can do the wrong thing. Altering the price of goods or services based on race is illegal,” Brnovich stated.
“My office opened these investigations and pursued these settlements to protect civil rights and ensure businesses offer their services and products based on equal and neutral criteria.”
Brnovich's office attempted to charge these companies with discrimination, but the food delivery giants decided to settle instead. In fact, Uber Eats issued a statement indicating that they stand by their initial campaign.
"[We are] proud to have supported Black-owned businesses and we’ll continue to make it a priority," an Uber Eats spokesperson told FOX Business.
“We have heard loud and clear from consumers that the ability to easily identify Black-owned restaurants on Uber Eats is a feature they want and appreciate."
Door Dash and Postmates have also issued similar statements. However, the agreed-upon settlement bars the three companies from launching a similar campaign.
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