Platform economy database
Database of initiatives and court cases in the EU
Eurofound’s platform economy database provides information on 452 initiatives and court cases that exist or have been implemented in relation to activities in the platform economy. The database was last updated in February 2026 and provides metadata for each entry, such as geographical scope, year, type of initiative, actors involved, sector and companies concerned. Initiatives include legal instruments such as legislative changes or court decisions, as well as voluntary interventions undertaken by different stakeholders to address issues around platform work.
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The database currently contains 452 entries and was last updated in February 2026.
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Italy
Italian prosecutors placed Foodinho, the Italian subsidiary of Glovo, under judicial supervision (a preventative judicial measure that affects the governance of the company) on 10 February 2026. This action follows an investigation into the Chief Executive Officer regarding allegations of labour exploitation. The Carabinieri labour unit executed a decree for court oversight to monitor compliance with social security and labour legislation.
Evidence for the investigation included testimony from 39 migrant workers. Findings indicated that riders received an average payment of €2.50 per delivery. Prosecutors stated this remuneration fell below the poverty threshold, in some cases by more than 75%.
The legal challenge centres on the employment status of the riders. Although the company classifies them as self-employed, prosecutors argue they function as employees because an automated platform dictates their working conditions. A court-appointed administrator will now oversee the company to ensure workers receive correct legal status and that the firm adheres to labour regulations.
Glovo stated that the company aims to improve operational standards and will maintain a dialogue with the authorities.
The platform economy is one of those moving targets, which, despite receiving increasing media and policy attention, has proven difficult to regulate. Given the heterogeneity of employment relationships, business models, types of platform work and cross-border issues, this is not surprising.
Technological change is accelerating as the capacity of electronic devices to digitally store, process and communicate information expands. Digitalisation is transforming the EU economy and labour markets: nearly one-third of EU workplaces are categorised as highly digitalised. What are the implications of the digital revolution for employment and work?
The rapid rise of the platform economy has led to a marked transformation of European labour markets, and existing regulatory frameworks and voluntary initiatives have yet to catch up. While platform work offers opportunities for workers and employers and potentially contributes to innovation, economic growth and competitiveness in the EU, it has been criticised from the beginning because of the poor employment and working conditions often experienced by workers.
While 2020 may come to be seen as the year platform work gathered pace and started to go mainstream – thanks in large part to COVID-19 containment measures sparking an increase in food and grocery delivery – 2021 could be the year that regulation of platform work is set in motion.
