For the first time, Yandex has released a formal security policy covering Yandex Food, Lavka, Delivery, and Yandex Delivery. The document outlines the full range of measures the services implement to make the order delivery process as safe as possible for customers and couriers alike.
Public safety and comfortable experiences in everyday life are priorities, said a spokesperson from Yandex Food. Evgeniy Anishchenkov, who leads the delivery businesses, emphasized that food and grocery delivery have become a standard part of urban infrastructure. This sense of responsibility extends to ensuring the services remain reliable and secure for society at large.
Since 2021, Yandex has invested nearly 500 million rubles in security initiatives and technology development. The funding supports safer courier routes, a system that monitors courier behavior, and privacy protections that safeguard user identities and hide real phone numbers. These investments help reduce risk while maintaining a smooth, trusted delivery experience.
The company has also built training programs for couriers that cover traffic rules, along with observation teams consisting of experienced drivers who oversee compliance in areas with high bicycle courier traffic. Yandex reports that in 2023, 99.999 percent of orders were delivered without accidents, with just one incident per 270 thousand kilometers traveled by couriers. This level of performance reflects ongoing safety work across the delivery network.
Maxim Ivenin, the business manager for Yandex Food and Delivery, explained that road safety and the broader urban safety ecosystem are addressed across multiple domains. The policy describes a complete lifecycle for couriers and order fulfillment. It begins when a courier joins the service and receives equipment with reflective elements along with mandatory basic traffic rules training. Those who work by bicycle undertake additional, longer courses. The next stage focuses on security measures during order fulfillment, and the policy also delineates incident response protocols to be activated if something goes wrong.
In a move toward greater operational resilience, Yandex has announced the rollout of its own electric bikes, planned for use by couriers next year. The new bikes are designed with a thermal bag-compatible frame and a replaceable high-capacity battery, with battery swaps available at dedicated stations. The vehicles will include USB ports for charging mobile devices and IoT modules to help ensure the bicycle remains within permitted speed limits. This integration of hardware, training, and real-time monitoring demonstrates a holistic approach to safer, more predictable urban delivery services.