Deliveroo, Glovo face Italian antitrust investigation over rider claims

MILAN, May 6 (Reuters) - Italy's ​antitrust authority said on Wednesday it had opened investigations into the Italian arms of Spanish ​food ‌delivery service Glovo, controlled by Germany's Delivery Hero, and British meal ⁠delivery company Deliveroo over alleged misleading claims ⁠about the treatment of riders.

According ​to a statement from the authority, the companies may have presented to consumers, including in codes of ethics and "about us" website sections, ​an ‌image based on ethical standards and social responsibility that did not reflect reality, particularly regarding riders' working conditions, legal compliance and the use of algorithms.

Glovo's and Deliveroo's Italian arms said ​they were fully cooperating with the antitrust authority and would provide ‌all information needed to support the investigation.

"The company operates in line with high internal standards and ‌in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations," Glovo's unit said.

"We will continue to engage transparently with all relevant authorities to demonstrate ​that we operate responsibly and in compliance with the law," Deliveroo's local ‌arm said.

Officials from the authority, assisted by Italy's financial police, carried out inspections on Tuesday at the offices of Foodinho and Glovo ⁠Infrastructure ⁠Services in Italy, as well as at Deliveroo ‌Italy.

The investigations come as Rome has stepped up scrutiny of the food delivery ​sector, ​which has grown rapidly in recent years but ‌has faced repeated regulatory and legal challenges over workers' rights, the use of algorithms and the classification of riders. (Reporting by Alessia Pé. Editing by Louise Heavens and Mark Potter)