A study led by academic Nicolás Valenzuela of the Federico Santa Emilio Saavedra Technical University (USM) has uncovered the existence of "digital food deserts" within the Metropolitan Region. The research pinpointed specific areas in the capital where platforms such as Pedidos Ya, Uber Eats, and Rappi do not operate, leaving various neighborhoods without access to delivery services.
To map coverage, the research team used a digital tool to conduct systematic queries across approximately 1,800 locations in Santiago. This method allowed them to verify real-time delivery availability at specific georeferenced points throughout the city.
Contrary to popular belief, this exclusion is not driven by crime rates. "We evaluated whether there was a correlation between crime rates and coverage, and we found no significant relationship," said Valenzuela, a researcher at the Center for Sustainable Urban Development (Cedeus).
Socioeconomic status as the deciding factor
The data reveals that socioeconomic status is the defining factor for app presence. Lower-income neighborhoods tend to be excluded from the technological landscape, a phenomenon the study characterizes as a form of structural exclusion.
The study also highlighted operational differences between companies. Pedidos Ya has the highest number of uncovered zones in the city, whereas Uber Eats maintains a broader network, primarily limited to rural or peripheral areas.
Valenzuela attributes these discrepancies to delivery models. "Pedidos Ya relies heavily on bicycle couriers, which limits its range of action to shorter distances. In contrast, Uber Eats utilizes more cars, providing greater territorial flexibility," the academic explained.
Rappi shows an intermediate pattern, with pockets of exclusion in areas such as La Legua in San Joaquín, La Pincoya in Recoleta, and parts of southern Puente Alto and La Pintana.
Pedidos Ya stated that between 2025 and 2026, they have expanded their coverage by 150 square kilometers, incorporating areas in Padre Hurtado, Renca, and San Bernardo. The company noted that its expansion depends on the availability of local businesses and the operational capacity of each area.
Meanwhile, Rappi stated that its strategy considers population density, road connectivity, and the distance between users and merchants. The company also uses safety variables to adjust its operations during specific hours or configurations.
The researcher defines this phenomenon as "level 0" of the digital divide. "It’s not that a person lacks internet access or doesn't know how to use the app. It’s that, even if they have everything, the system tells them they cannot access the service," Valenzuela concluded.