Critics Urge FTC to Block DoorDash’s $17 Billion Bid for Instacart

The American Economic Liberties Project is leading the push to halt the acquisition, citing a history of corporate behavior that has harmed restaurants, grocers, and delivery drivers. Lee Hepner, senior legal counsel at the organization, described the move as a "brazen" attempt to consolidate power, noting that the companies collectively employ 9 million workers who have long struggled for fair pay and benefits. The plea follows an FTC order issued Wednesday requiring both firms to disclose how they utilize personal data to manipulate pricing and compensation.

Concerns over the merger are amplified by recent legal battles. Only last month, DoorDash finalized a $131.5 million settlement with New York City to resolve allegations of shortchanging drivers. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani highlighted the contradiction of the company finding billions for an acquisition shortly after claiming financial constraints during wage theft negotiations. Lindsay Owens, CEO of the Groundwork Collaborative, warned that combining a company known for price-gouging experiments with one that tracks granular user data creates a "ripoff machine" that regulators must dismantle.

Skepticism remains regarding whether the current Republican-controlled FTC will move to block the deal, given the administration's antitrust record. If federal regulators remain passive, pressure is expected to shift toward state attorneys general to challenge the merger in court.