Uber has already been accused of using a software tool dubbed “Greyball” to avoid sidestep law enforcement officers in cities where the service wasn’t yet authorized to operate. A new investigation has concluded that Greyball was also being used in at least one city to evade detection by more than a dozen local government officials. [More]
portland
Appeals Court: Your Naked Protest At Airport Security Is Not Protected By First Amendment
By 5.18.17
Five years ago, when we told you about an Oregon man protesting new airport security measures by stripping down to nothing at a TSA checkpoint, we had no idea it would eventually blossom into a years-long legal battle over whether or not one has a First Amendment right to get naked at the airport, but this week a federal appeals court disagreed with a local judge, saying that the man’s protest was not a form of constitutionally protected free speech. [More]
Cyclist Sues Comcast After Being Clotheslined By Low-Hanging Cable Line
By 7.11.16
If you think having an unsightly, low-hanging cable line in your backyard is a nuisance, try running into one at neck-level while riding your bike down the street. [More]
Cruise Ship Norovirus Season Begins: 252 Passengers Sick On Ship Docked In Maine
By 5.9.16
When the cruise season kicked off in Portland, ME this weekend, it didn’t exactly get off to a great start. The first ship to dock in the city’s port is under surveillance for norovirus after more than 250 passengers reportedly became sick. [More]
Uber, Lyft Given Final Approval To Stay In Portland After City Council Vote
By 12.3.15
What a difference a year makes: it’s been almost 12 months since Uber and officials in Portland, OR agreed to work on new rules together to allow the company to operate in the city, and now, those rules have finally been approved, giving ride-hailing services the go-ahead to do their thing. [More]
Comcast Tests Program That Proactively Calls Customers To Fix Problems
By 10.13.15
At times it can be difficult to schedule a service call with a cable/phone/internet provider when you notice an issue. So, it’s no wonder Consumerist reader Jack was suspicious of a voicemail he received last week from a someone claiming to be a Comcast employee notifying him that the company had detected poor signals reaching his equipment and offering to send a tech to investigate the issue. [More]
Truck Full Of Tofu, Organic Drinks Goes Missing From Safeway Parking Lot
By 10.6.15
If we were going to steal a semi truck full of something from a grocery store (we would never do something like that, and we suggest you don’t either), it certainly wouldn’t be one brimming with tofu and organic health drinks. But those items were apparently appealing to one Oregon thief Tuesday when he made off with a truck full of the products. [More]
Comcast Customers In Oregon Get To Experience Hopefully Improved Customer Service
By 9.21.15
A year ago this week, following a disastrous few months of very public customer service humiliations, Comcast promoted Charlie Herrin to be the Vice President, Making Company Look Less Awful (Note: This may not be his official title). The company subsequently promised that customer service “will be our best product,” resulting in more than a few snickers from Comcast subscribers. Now it’s time to see if these leadership changes and vague boasts are going to get results. [More]
Report: Google Fiber Might Be On Its Way To Portland Next
By 6.15.15
Google’s currently hard at work on the east coast, bringing their Fiber service to a number of cities in North Carolina. And, according to North Carolinians, Google’s next move will bring them straight across the country to the west coast: namely, Portland. [More]
Portland Bans Insecticide Blamed For Decline In Honey Bee Population
By 4.2.15
Out of concern for a depletion in the number of honey bees in recent years, the city of Portland, OR has approved a ban on the use of an insecticide that conservationists say is to blame for killing off the honeymakers, despite protests from some local farmers. [More]
Uber May Re-Emerge In Portland Under Pilot Program Next Month
By 3.25.15
After agreeing to suspend its service in Portland, OR last December, Uber could be back on the road in the city by April 15 if officials approve a proposed pilot program. [More]
Police Posed As Shoplifters, Sold Meat And Supplies To Food Truck Operators
By 2.3.15
Two food cart operators in Portland, Oregon were busted last week buying meat, soda, oven cleaner, and utensils from undercover officers posing as shoplifters. They were arrested and have both been charged with attempted theft by receiving. However, they explained to local media that they totally didn’t think that they were buying meat that had been shoved down a thief’s pants. No way. [More]
Uber Agrees To Suspend Service In Portland For 3 Months
By 12.19.14
Marking the first time the ride-sharing company has voluntarily agreed to suspend service in a city it’s already established in, Uber has agreed to pull its drivers from the road in Portland for three months as part of a deal with the mayor to work on new regulations. [More]
Portland Sues To Get Rid Of Uber Just Days After Car Service Arrives In The City
By 12.9.14
The city of Portland, OR hasn’t just avoided putting out the welcome mat for ridesharing service Uber, no siree. Portland is so set against the company setting up shop there, that only a few days after Uber opened up for business there, the city is suing to ban it from operating. [More]
Police Officers Finish Delivering Order After Pizza Hut Driver Is Injured In Car Crash
By 9.23.14
It’s the joke that must be made — Portland Police not only protect, but they serve… pizza. Because after a Pizza Hut delivery driver was injured in a car crash, the cops made a special effort to ensure that his customers didn’t go hungry, and delivered up the pizza in his stead. [More]
101 Years Ago, Someone Mapped The Morals Of Portland, Building-By-Building
By 9.4.14
Long before there were interactive police blotter maps, or even funny maps labeling neighborhoods with tags like “Yuppies with Puppies” or “Bars You’re Too Old To Go To,” the city of Portland (the one on the upper-left of the map) actually plotted out which rental homes, hotels, and apartment buildings had been investigated and deemed to be “moral,” “immoral,” or “doubtful.” [More]
Restaurant Turns Yelper’s Lame Abortion Joke Into Fundraiser For Domestic Violence Crisis Line
By 7.24.14
Just like the rest of the Internet, Yelp is not immune to idiots who pepper their “reviews” with boorish, sexist statements that are probably intended to be funny. Most businesses would simply ignore this sort of non-feedback, but a restaurant in Portland (the one to the upper-left) saw a chance to turn a cheap abortion-based semi-joke into a worthwhile cause. [More]
Portland Will No Longer Invest In Walmart
By 5.16.14
In its continuing quest to become a caricature of outsiders’ clichés , the city of Portland, Oregon has decided to stop investing in Walmart. Wait, Portland invests in Walmart? Yes, just under 3% of the city’s portfolio consists of Walmart bonds, the last of which will mature in 2016. The city’s total Walmart holdings were $36 million. [More]
