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Uber, but for toxic techbro culture
Some companies are just born with an infinite number of chances to keep doing everything wrong and yet somehow seem immune to the consequences. Uber is one of those companies. Uber's latest scandal -- a fat hack and its dirty coverup -- is just one in a long line of Uber-riffic examples on just how far a certain kind of privilege gets you.
Uber's 'Hell' program tracked and targeted Lyft drivers
In its quest to ensure Lyft remains in second place, Uber reportedly ran a program that exploited a vulnerability in its rival's system. According to The Information, the ride-hailing company's covert software-based program called "Hell" spied on its staunchest competitor's drivers from 2014 to early 2016. It's called Hell, because it served as the counterpart to "God View" or "Heaven," Uber's in-company app that tracked its own drivers and passengers. Unlike God View, which was widely available to corporate employees, only top executives along with select data scientists and personnel knew about Hell.
Uber will use high-res satellite imagery to improve pickups
Uber will soon use high-resolution satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe to help drivers find passengers. According to a press release from DigitalGlobe, the ridesharing company will use its satellites "to help identify and improve pickup and drop-off locations." Uber recently bought mapping company deCarta and is using Microsoft's Bing vehicle imagery tech, so the DigitalGlobe deal will further extend its mapping efforts.
Uber settles probe into 'God View' customer-tracking app
Uber has agreed to pay a fine and adopt more stringent privacy practices as part of its settlement with the New York Attorney General's office, according to BuzzFeed News. If you recall, the Attorney General's investigation was triggered by BuzzFeed reporter Johana Bhuiyan's interaction with Uber's New York general manager Josh Mohrer in 2014. Bhuiyan said Mohrer admitted to tracking her Uber ride and event sent her logs of her trips, which were collected without her express permission. During the course of her investigation, former employees revealed that Uber's corporate employees can all access those information using the company's "God View" app.
Uber looking into violations of its 'God View' customer-tracking app
Uber has more explaining to do following a report that one of its employees tracked a Buzzfeed reporter's location without her permission. Earlier this month, reporter Johana Bhuiyan was greeted by Uber's New York general manager Josh Mohrer, who pointed at his phone and told her "There you are. I was tracking you." The same reporter said that Mohrer previously sent her logs of her Uber trips -- in both cases, without permission. That's a clear violation of Uber's privacy policy, which it posted yesterday following another firestorm over executive Emil Michael's statement that the company should investigate journalists.
