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]
ride-hailing
Uber Settles Federal Allegations It Deceived Customers About Privacy & Data Security
By 8.15.17
Uber has reached a deal with the Federal Trade Commission to settle the government’s investigation into the ride-hailing service’s allegedly questionable privacy practices.
[More]
Uber Passenger Dies After Altercation With Driver
By 8.14.17
A Florida Uber passenger died after one of the ride-hailing company’s drivers allegedly punched him during a dispute. [More]
Uber Debuts In-App Messaging For Those Times You Can’t Find Your Driver
By 8.10.17
For years, texting has been the preferred — and sometimes only — method Uber drivers and passengers have used to connect, from confirming the pickup location to notifying passengers their ride has arrived. Now, instead of sending these messages to your text service, the company has created its own in-app messaging service. [More]
4 Things To Know About Uber’s Singapore Leasing Program & Recall Issues
By 8.4.17
For nearly two years, Uber has offered a car leasing program that aims to remedy one of the biggest obstacles for those who wanted to sign up as a driver, but didn’t haven anything to, you know, actually drive. While some Uber drivers have expressed their frustrations with the Xchange Leasing program, a new report suggests that those taking part in similar programs outside of the U.S. are facing more than high monthly payments; they’re dealing with allegedly defective and dangerous vehicles. [More]
Report: Feds Investigating Uber Over Privacy Violations
By 6.14.17
Uber’s awful week month year may have just gotten a bit worse, as sources report the ride-hailing company is now in the crosshairs of federal regulators. [More]
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick May Take Leave Of Absence Amid Controversies
By 6.12.17
Amid a recent avalanche of bad headlines — including the release of an email memo to employees outlining his rules for partying and sex — Uber CEO Travis Kalanick may step away from the company for a bit. [More]
Uber To Repay Customers Who Experienced Surge Pricing After London Attacks
By 6.5.17
Nearly three years ago, Uber received significant backlash after it charged surge prices during a hostage situation in Sydney, Australia, leading the company to refund riders for those trips. A similar situation is playing out in London after the ride-hailing service charged customers caught up in a recent terror attack more for rides to safety. [More]
Uber Fares Will Soon Be Based On How Much Uber Thinks You’re Willing To Pay
By 5.19.17
If you’ve ever hailed an Uber ride and thought afterward that you paid a lot less than you should have, those days may soon be over. The company’s latest change to its pricing model will offer you a rate that isn’t based purely on time and distance, but on what Uber’s computers think you’ll be willing to pay. [More]
Uber’s Flying Taxis Could Take To The Skies By 2020
By 4.26.17
If Uber has its way, in a few short years you’ll be able to hail a flying taxi: During a conference this week for its Uber Elevate project, the company and its partner said they’re planning to get their new aircraft into the sky by 2020. [More]
Uber President Leaving Company After Just Six Months
By 3.20.17
It’s been a rough couple of months for Uber, with the brief-but-viral #DeleteUber campaign, and the company’s CEO being caught on camera berating one of his own drivers. Now comes news that Uber President Jeff Jones is exiting the company after less than a year on the job. [More]
Google To Take On Uber, Lyft With Major Expansion Of Waze Carpooling Service
By 2.22.17
It seems you can’t throw a rock in the street these days without hitting a ride-sharing vehicle (but don’t do that, seriously). Google is going to make that marketplace even more crowded with a major expansion it has planned for the carpooling function included in its Waze navigation app. [More]
Would Surge Pricing Help Prevent Traffic Gridlock On Busy Roadways?
By 1.17.17
A few months after Lyft’s last manifesto regarding the future of transportation, company executives are once again laying out a plan to tackle traffic issues. Specifically, congestion pricing aimed at preventing traffic jams in our cities’ busiest highways and byways. [More]
Uber, Lyft, Zipcar Offer Free Or Discounted Rides To Polls On Election Day
By 11.7.16
Election Day is nearly here, and millions of Americans will head to their respective polling places on Tuesday. You might be able to drive, walk, bike, or jetpack to your voting site, but for those who need a ride (or just a car), a handful of companies are offering free or discounted options. [More]
Uber Implementing New “Selfie” Security Requirement For Drivers
By 9.23.16
In an effort to prevent drivers’ accounts from being compromised, Uber has announced a new security measure called Real-Time ID Check that will require drivers to periodically take a photo of themselves before they can sign onto the platform and accept rides. [More]
Former Driver For Uber, Lyft Charged With Sexually Assaulting Several Female Passengers
By 9.22.16
A man who used to drive for both Uber and Lyft has been accused of sexually assaulting several women who hailed rides on the platforms, and investigators believe there are likely more victims that have yet to come forward. [More]
Lyft Dismisses The Idea That It Even Wants A Buyer At All
By 8.23.16
A day after Uber reportedly shrugged off the idea of acquiring ride-hailing rival Lyft, the latter company says it’s not on the market, you know, anyway. [More]
Uber Reportedly Shrugs Off Idea Of Acquiring Lyft
By 8.22.16
With reports circulating that ride-hailing service Lyft may be looking to sell itself, it makes sense to think of Uber, its most prominent competitor, as a potential buyer. However, it seems very unlikely that regulators would allow this merger, or that Uber is even interested. [More]
