Some state and local governments are trying to regulate deactivations. As part of a court settlement, Massachusetts mandated that Lyft and Uber provide drivers a reason when they are deactivated and set up an appeals process.
Steve McDougall earned about $900 a week delivering for Uber Eats and DoorDash, whizzing through the heavy traffic of Gloucester, Massachusetts, on an e-bike. The flexible hours allowed him to tend to his 15-year-old daughter and two parents with disabilities.
“It’s not great money, but it’s freedom,” McDougall, 40, said. “I get to come home a lot during the day. I get to go to my daughter’s softball games, practices, doctor’s appointments — anything I need to.”
In November 2023, he received an email from Uber notifying him that his account had been deactivated. It cited “fraudulent activity” but did not elaborate. He immediately appealed…