Deliveroo urged to spell out arrangements to consumers

The Consumer Council has so far received 12 complaints involving around HK$5,000 in relation to the shutdown of the online food delivery platform, Deliveroo, in Hong Kong.

It announced earlier that it will run until April 7, and part of its assets will be sold to rival Foodpanda.

Consumer Council chief executive Gilly Wong pointed out that the biggest complaint involved about HK$600.

Wong said Deliveroo has to make it clear whether its subscribers are still entitled to a complimentary half-year membership at its rival, Foodpanda, if they have already subscribed to that platform.

She also called on Deliveroo to inform its customers about the handling of their data.

“If customers have a membership on both platforms, or they do not want to switch to another platform to enjoy their services, can they ask for a refund for the subscription that they’ve purchased?” Wong called on the platform to spell out the arrangement.

She noted that members will have their subscriptions renewed automatically when the complimentary subscription ends, but said the platform should allow members to decide for themselves instead.

She added that the watchdog is maintaining close contact with Foodpanda, which is taking over part of Deliveroo’s business, and the council will offer more details later.

The Consumer Council has so far received 12 complaints involving around HK$5,000 in relation to the shutdown of the online food delivery platform, Deliveroo, in Hong Kong.

It announced earlier that it will run until April 7, and part of its assets will be sold to rival Foodpanda.

Consumer Council chief executive Gilly Wong pointed out that the biggest complaint involved about HK$600.

Wong said Deliveroo has to make it clear whether its subscribers are still entitled to a complimentary half-year membership at its rival, Foodpanda, if they have already subscribed to that platform.

She also called on Deliveroo to inform its customers about the handling of their data.

“If customers have a membership on both platforms, or they do not want to switch to another platform to enjoy their services, can they ask for a refund for the subscription that they’ve purchased?” Wong called on the platform to spell out the arrangement.

She noted that members will have their subscriptions renewed automatically when the complimentary subscription ends, but said the platform should allow members to decide for themselves instead.

She added that the watchdog is maintaining close contact with Foodpanda, which is taking over part of Deliveroo’s business, and the council will offer more details later.