DoorDash Becomes First Food Delivery App to Scan IDs to Crack Down on Underage Alcohol Orders

DoorDash is shutting down the young folks from tricking its app ever again. After the food delivery app had a technical issue allowing people to purchase tequila, condoms, and more, the app has been cracking down on underage drinkers ever since. 

The app now makes consumers scan their IDs into the app before placing an ounce of liquor into the cart. It also makes the delivery driver do a checklist to ensure underage drinkers do not get their hands on alcoholic beverages. 

On Wednesday, DoorDash released a statement addressing the issue with their app allowing teenagers to buy liquor by tricking the system. 

“At DoorDash, safety is a top priority, and our goal is to deliver alcohol in the safest and most responsible way possible. We’re setting a new industry standard for responsible alcohol delivery. The new safety measures will help ensure alcohol is delivered to people over the age of 21.” 

In addition to the new feature, the app already works with law enforcement and youth-safety-based groups like Responsibility.org, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, and Students Against Destructive Decisions.

The app was successfully tested in Dallas, Detroit, Miami, Phoenix, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, and Northern Virginia, which means it’s coming to your state next! 

TODAY breaks down how it works: 

“Customers who are of age will have to upload their ID to the DoorDash app in order to even add alcohol to their orders in the first place. Delivery people are later required to scan the front of a customer’s ID with the DoorDash app to verify their identity prior to handing off and completing the delivery, which means no more contactless lager deliveries can be potentially abused by the youth of America.Then, after verifying the customer’s identity and making sure the customer isn’t already intoxicated, the delivery may be completed. Just like a bartender, your DoorDasher can cut you off.” 

Customers who order alcohol will also be notified to bring their ID with them, meaning no more drop-offs at front doors if there is an alcohol delivery.