Fake AI-generated evidence fuels viral gig economy pay scandal

A fabricated employee badge and AI-created documents fueled a false scandal about gig worker pay. Here’s how it unraveled—and why it matters.

, and Administrator

2026 January 8 . 7:26 AM

1 min read

Fake AI-generated evidence fuels viral gig economy pay scandal

A viral Reddit post recently accused a major delivery company of manipulating drivers’ pay using secret algorithms. The claims spread rapidly, gathering over 87,000 upvotes and millions of views before being debunked. Investigations later revealed the post relied on fabricated evidence, including an AI-generated employee badge.

The original post alleged that DoorDash used predictive modelling to cut base pay for drivers based on expected tips. It also mentioned a so-called 'Desperation Score' to rank workers and claimed the company hoarded high-paying orders for occasional drivers. These accusations quickly gained traction, fuelled by long-standing criticism of gig economy labour practices.

The user behind the post presented an 18-page document and a photo of an Uber Eats employee badge as proof. However, inconsistencies in the document’s formatting and language raised doubts. Journalists later confirmed the badge was fake, created using Google AI. Reddit moderators removed the post after several days, citing policy violations. DoorDash and Uber executives publicly denied the practices described, calling them untrue and unethical. The user had claimed to be breaking a non-disclosure agreement to expose corporate secrets.

The debunked post highlights how quickly misleading claims can spread online, especially when they align with existing frustrations. While the allegations were false, the incident adds to ongoing debates about transparency and fairness in gig work. Delivery and ride-share companies continue to face scrutiny over labour conditions and pay structures.