Food delivery firm Foodinho has once again found itself in the crosshairs of Italy's privacy watchdog. This isn't an isolated incident but rather a recurring pattern that raises serious concerns about the company's data handling practices. Reuters reports that the Glovo-owned on-demand delivery app has been slapped with a hefty €5 million ($5.20 million) fine due to its unlawful processing of data belonging to over 35,000 riders registered on the platform.

Key Issues Unveiled

One of the major issues identified is the transfer of riders' geolocation data to third parties without their explicit consent. This includes even when the riders were not actively working, up until August 2023. The privacy watchdog has demanded immediate changes in the app's messaging to riders and its GPS feature to ensure that tracking can be easily turned off when riders are not on duty.Moreover, Foodinho has been prohibited from using riders' biometric data, such as facial recognition, for identity verification purposes. This move is a significant step towards safeguarding riders' privacy.Back in 2021, when Foodinho had approximately 19,000 registered riders, Italy's watchdog had already fined the company around $3 million for a long list of data protection and algorithmic management issues. It seems that the app has not learned its lesson and remains complacent when it comes to privacy compliance.The implications of these fines and restrictions are far-reaching. For one, it damages the trust that riders have in the app and the company. It also raises questions about the company's overall data management strategies and its commitment to protecting user privacy.In today's digital age, where data is king, companies like Foodinho have a responsibility to handle user data with the utmost care and compliance. The repeated fines and penalties serve as a stark reminder that privacy is not something to be taken lightly.Foodinho needs to take these issues seriously and implement comprehensive measures to ensure that such violations do not occur in the future. Only by doing so can the company regain the trust of its riders and avoid further legal troubles.The privacy of riders should be at the forefront of Foodinho's operations. It is essential that the company learns from its past mistakes and takes proactive steps to protect the data of its users.