Uber settles complaint over data protection for riders, drivers

WASHINGTON: Uber agreed to implement new data protection measures to settle complaints that it failed to prevent improper snooping on driver and customer information, officials said.

The ridesharing giant had faced complaints that it allowed some employees to use the ‘God view’ to monitor customer movements that could allow Uber managers to keep tabs on journalists investigating the ridesharing giant.

A separate complaint said that Uber had also failed to prevent a data breach that allowed hackers to gain access to personal information on some 100,000 drivers.

The Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement on an investigation into allegations that Uber failed to live up to data protection claims.

It requires Uber to submit to independent privacy audits every two years for the next 20 years.

“Uber failed consumers in two key ways: First by misrepresenting the extent to which it monitored its employees’ access to personal information about users and drivers, and second by misrepresenting that it took reasonable steps to secure that data,” said FTC acting chairman Maureen Ohlhausen in a statement.

“This case shows that, even if you’re a fast growing company, you can’t leave consumers behind: you must honour your privacy and security promises.”

Ohlhausen said the agency began its investigation in response to a ‘consumer uproar’ over reports that Uber executives used ‘God view,’ indicating the whereabouts of riders, for parties and other purposes. — AFP