CIVIC LANE An Italian court has ordered Glovo to guarantee stronger safety protections for its delivery riders. Platform companies often describe riders as independent workers, while critics argue that the apps exercise enough control to carry greater employer-like responsibilities. Consumers benefit from fast and inexpensive deliveries, but riders absorb much of the physical risk. Stronger protections could also increase operating costs and ultimately delivery prices. The dispute therefore tests how much responsibility a platform should bear for the people whose labour makes the service possible.