New York City Sues Food Delivery Service Motoclick

On Thursday, New York City took legal action against the food delivery app Motoclick, with Mayor Zoran Mamdani intensifying efforts to regulate the service.

The lawsuit, filed by the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accuses Motoclick of unlawfully taking money from its employees. Specifically, the app has been alleged to impose a $10 fee on canceled orders and to deduct refunds from worker salaries.

According to the legal complaint, Motoclick supposedly owes millions to its employees in unpaid wages and damages. The city is aiming to shut Motoclick down entirely.

At a press conference announcing the lawsuit, Mayor Mamdani expressed, “This represents a new chapter for New York City, as we hold Motoclick and similar companies accountable for operating outside our laws.” He noted that this filing comes shortly after his administration accused other delivery giants, like DoorDash and Uber Eats, of blocking around $550 million in tips intended for delivery workers.

These actions form part of a broader strategy from Mamdani to target “predatory” apps that, he claims, take advantage of diligent delivery workers.

Furthermore, the new mayor has committed to making the Consumer and Worker Protection Bureau more active in defending New Yorkers—both workers and customers alike. “We don’t seek to be adversarial with businesses in the city,” Mamdani clarified, underlining the importance of cooperative relations, but adding that the city will protect workers from those who break the law for profit.

Sam Levine, the department’s secretary, commented on the situation, asserting that major corporations need to tread carefully. He stated, “Companies like Uber and DoorDash don’t actually provide the food, don’t ride bikes, nor do they deliver meals. Now is the moment to stand with those who form the backbone of our delivery economy—New York’s workers.”

As of now, Motoclick has not provided any response to requests for comment.