Editing Uber (section)

== Controversies ==
{{main|Controversies surrounding Uber}}
Uber classifies its drivers as [[gig worker]]s or [[independent contractor]]s, which has drawn criticism and legal challenges because it allows the company to withhold [[worker protection]]s that it would have been required to provide to employees.<ref name=":02">{{cite news |last=Sainato |first=Michael |date=August 27, 2021 |title='I don't like being treated like crap': gig workers aim to retool a system they say is rigged |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/27/gig-workers-massachusetts-lawsuit-independent-contractor-status |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160651/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/27/gig-workers-massachusetts-lawsuit-independent-contractor-status |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{cite news |last=Luna |first=Taryn |date=November 4, 2020 |title=California voters approve Prop. 22, allowing Uber and Lyft drivers to remain independent contractors |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-03/2020-california-election-tracking-prop-22 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104231140/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-03/2020-california-election-tracking-prop-22 |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>
This figure has disrupted [[taxicab]] businesses, and has become the subject of legal action in several jurisdictions.
Ridesharing companies are [[Legality of ridesharing companies by jurisdiction|regulated in many jurisdictions]] and the Uber platform is not available in several countries where the company is not able or willing to comply with local regulations.

In addition, studies have shown that, especially in cities where it competes with [[public transport]], Uber contributes to an increase in [[traffic congestion]], reduces public transport use, has no substantial impact on vehicle ownership, and increases [[automobile dependency]].<ref name="BI congestion"/><ref name="Verge congestion"/><ref name="WSJ congestion"/>

Other [[controversies involving Uber]] include various unethical practices such as aggressive lobbying and ignoring/evading local regulations. Some of these conducts were revealed by a leak of documents showing controversial activity between 2013 and 2017 under the leadership of [[Travis Kalanick]].

=== Ignoring and evading local regulations ===
Uber has been criticized for its strategy of generally commencing operations in a city without regard for local regulations. If faced with regulatory opposition, Uber called for public support for its service and mounted a political campaign, supported by [[lobbying]], to change regulations.<ref name=ignoring/> Uber argued that it is "a [[technology company]]" and not a taxi company, and therefore it was not subject to regulations affecting taxi companies.<ref name=ignoring/> Uber's strategy was generally to "seek forgiveness rather than permission".<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://hbr.org/2017/06/uber-cant-be-fixed-its-time-for-regulators-to-shut-it-down | title=Uber Can't Be Fixed — It's Time for Regulators to Shut It Down | first=Benjamin | last=Edelman | work=[[Harvard Business Review]] | date=June 21, 2017}}</ref> In 2014, with regards to airport pickups without a permit in California, drivers were actually told to ignore local regulations and that the company would pay for any citations.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/rideshare-drivers-told-to-ignore-regulations-uber-lyft-will-pay-citations-at-bay-area-airports/70918/ | title=Uber and Lyft Drivers Told to Ignore Regulations: Companies Pay Airport Citations for Drivers | first1=Elyce | last1=Kirchner | first2=David | last2=Paredes | work=[[KNTV]] | date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> Uber's response to [[California Assembly Bill 5 (2019)]], whereby it announced that it would not comply with the law, then engaged lobbyists and mounted an expensive public opinion campaign to overturn it via a ballot, was cited as an example of this policy.<ref name=ignoring>{{Cite news | title=Uber Became Big by Ignoring Laws (and It Plans to Keep Doing That) | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/uber-became-big-by-ignoring-laws-and-it-plans-to-keep-doing-that/ | first1=Edward Jr. | last1=Ongweso | first2=Jason | last2=Koebler | work=[[Vice Media]] | date=September 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://prospect.org/justice/uber-goes-back-basics-violating-law/ | title=Uber Goes Back to Basics: Violating the Law | first=ALEXANDER | last=SAMMON | work=[[The American Prospect]] | date=September 12, 2019}}</ref>

More than 124,000 Uber documents covering the five-year period from 2012 to 2017 when Uber was run by its co-founder Travis Kalanick were leaked by Mark MacGann, a [[lobbyist]] who "led Uber's efforts to win over governments across Europe, the Middle East and Africa",<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Uber whistleblower: I'm exposing a system that sold people a lie |last1=Lewis |first1=Paul |last2=Davies |first2=Harry |last3=O'Carroll |first3=Lisa |last4=Goodley |first4=Simon |last5=Lawrence |first5=Felicity |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 July 2022 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/jul/11/uber-files-whistleblower-lobbyist-mark-macgann}}</ref> to ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper and first printed on 10 July 2022 by its [[Sunday newspaper|Sunday sister]] ''[[The Observer]]''. The documents revealed attempts to lobby [[Joe Biden]], [[Olaf Scholz]] and [[George Osborne]]; how [[Emmanuel Macron]] secretly aided Uber lobbying in France, and use of a [[kill switch]] during police raids to conceal data. Travis Kalanick dismissed concerns from other executives that sending Uber drivers to a protest in France put them at risk of violence from angry opponents in the taxi industry, saying "I think it's worth it, violence guarantees success".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Uber broke laws, duped police and built secret lobbying operation, leak reveals |last1=Davies |first1=Harry |last2=Goodley |first2=Simon |last3=Lawrence |first3=Felicity |last4=Lewis |first4=Paul |last5=O'Carroll |first5=Lisa |newspaper=[[The Observer]] |date=10 July 2022 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/jul/10/uber-files-leak-reveals-global-lobbying-campaign }}</ref>

Taxi companies sued Uber in numerous American cities, alleging that Uber's policy of violating taxi regulations was a form of unfair competition or a violation of antitrust law.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.courthousenews.com/boston-cab-drivers-lose-battle-with-uber-at-first-circuit/ | title=Boston cab drivers lose battle with Uber at First Circuit|first1=Emilee | last1=Larkin| work=Courthouse News Service | date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> Although some courts did find that Uber intentionally violated the taxi rules, Uber prevailed in every case, including the only case to proceed to trial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3488&context=vlr|title=John Greil, The Unfranchised Competitor Doctrine, 66 Villanova Law Review 357, 377 (2021)|website=digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu|access-date=July 10, 2022}}</ref>

In March 2017, an investigation by ''[[The New York Times]]'' revealed that Uber developed a software tool called "Greyball" to avoid giving rides to known law enforcement officers in areas where its service was illegal such as in [[Portland, Oregon]], [[Australia]], [[South Korea]], and [[China]]. The tool identified government officials using [[geofencing]], mining credit card databases, identifying devices, and searches of social media.<ref name=nyt_greyball>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/technology/uber-greyball-program-evade-authorities.html | first=Mike | last=Isaac | title=How Uber Deceives the Authorities Worldwide | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=March 3, 2017 | url-access=limited | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305054555/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/technology/uber-greyball-program-evade-authorities.html | archive-date=March 5, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Heather | last=Somerville | work=[[Reuters]] | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uber-greyball-idUSKBN16G041 | title=Uber prohibits use of 'Greyball' technology to evade authorities | date=March 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/blue-sky/ct-uber-greyball-20170303-story.html | title=Uber's secret 'Greyball' program shows just how far it will go to get its way | first1=Craig | last1=Timberg | first2=Brian | last2=Fung | work=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date=March 3, 2017 | url-access=subscription | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430185631/http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/technology/ct-uber-greyball-20170303-story.html | archive-date=April 30, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all}}</ref> While at first, Uber stated that it only used the tool to identify riders that violated its [[terms of service]], after investigations by [[Portland, Oregon]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2017/03/ubers_greyball_scheme_to_thwar.html | title=Portland to investigate Uber's 'Greyball' scheme to thwart regulators | last=Njus | first=Elliot | work=[[The Oregonian]] | date=March 6, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910203951/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2017/03/ubers_greyball_scheme_to_thwar.html | archive-date=September 10, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | publisher=[[Portland Bureau of Transportation]] | url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/saltzman/article/637492 | title=Transportation Network Companies: Regulation Evasion Audit | date=April 28, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503033639/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/saltzman/article/637492 | archive-date=May 3, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Njus | first=Elliot | title=Portland may subpoena Uber over regulator-dodging 'Greyball' software | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2017/04/portland_may_subpoena_uber_ove.html | work=[[The Oregonian]] | date=April 27, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204341/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2017/04/portland_may_subpoena_uber_ove.html | archive-date=September 10, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the [[United States Department of Justice]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uber-tech-crime-exclusive/exclusive-uber-faces-criminal-probe-over-software-used-to-evade-authorities-idUSKBN1802U1 | title=Exclusive: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities | first1=Dan | last1=Levine | first2=Joseph | last2=Menn | work=[[Reuters]] | date=May 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/technology/uber-federal-inquiry-software-greyball.html | title=Uber Faces Federal Inquiry Over Use of Greyball Tool to Evade Authorities | first1=Mike | last1=Isaac | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 4, 2017 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Justice Department Expands Its Inquiry Into Uber's Greyball Tool | first1=Mike | last1=Isaac | work=[[The New York Times]] | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/05/technology/uber-greyball-investigation-expands.html | date=May 5, 2017 | url-access=limited}}</ref> Uber admitted to using the tool to skirt local regulations and promised not to use the tool for that purpose.<ref>{{cite news | first1=Marco | last1=della Cava | website=[[USA Today]] | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/03/08/uber-stop-using-greyball-target-regulators/98930282/ | title=Uber admits its ghost driver 'Greyball' tool was used to thwart regulators, vows to stop | date=March 8, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428093119/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/03/08/uber-stop-using-greyball-target-regulators/98930282/ | archive-date=April 28, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://newsroom.uber.com/an-update-on-greyballing/ | title=An update on "greyballing" | last=Sullivan | first=Joe | publisher=Uber | date=March 8, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329151116/https://newsroom.uber.com/an-update-on-greyballing/ | archive-date=March 29, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The use of Greyball in London was cited by [[Transport for London]] as one of the reasons for its decision not to renew Uber's private hire operator licence in September 2017.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2017/september/licensing-decision-on-uber-london-limited | title=TFL decision on Uber London Limited | publisher=[[Transport for London]] | date=September 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-lost-licence-operate-london-2017-9 | title=Uber has lost its licence to operate in London | website=[[Business Insider]] | date=September 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44594058 | title=Uber to begin appeal over London licence | work=[[BBC News]] |date=June 25, 2018}}</ref> A January 2018 report by [[Bloomberg News]] stated that Uber routinely used a "panic button" system, codenamed "Ripley", that locked, powered off and changed passwords on staff computers when those offices were subjected to government raids.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Zaleski | first1=Olivia | last2=Newcomer | first2=Eric | title=Uber's Secret Tool for Keeping the Cops in the Dark | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-11/uber-s-secret-tool-for-keeping-the-cops-in-the-dark | work=[[Bloomberg News]] | date=January 11, 2018 | url-access=subscription | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921074043/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-11/uber-s-secret-tool-for-keeping-the-cops-in-the-dark | archive-date=September 21, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Uber allegedly used this button at least 24 times, from spring 2015 until late 2016.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/report-uber-system-disrupted-government-investigations-2018-1 | title=Uber reportedly disrupted government investigations for almost 2 years with a 'secret' system called 'Ripley' | first=Mark | last=Matousek | work=[[Business Insider]] | date=January 11, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908164928/https://www.businessinsider.com/report-uber-system-disrupted-government-investigations-2018-1 | archive-date=September 8, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/11/uber-developed-secret-system-to-lock-down-staff-computers-in-a-police-raid | title=Uber developed secret system to lock down staff computers in a police raid | first=Olivia | last=Solon | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=January 11, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111232714/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/11/uber-developed-secret-system-to-lock-down-staff-computers-in-a-police-raid | archive-date=January 11, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Traffic congestion ===
{{#section-h::Ridesharing company|Traffic congestion}}

=== Counter-intelligence research on class action plaintiffs ===
In 2016, Uber hired the global security consulting firm Ergo to secretly investigate plaintiffs involved in a class action lawsuit. Ergo operatives posed as acquaintances of the plaintiff's counsel and tried to contact their associates to obtain information that could be used against them. The result of which was found out causing the judge to throw out evidence obtained as obtained in a fraudulent manner.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.theverge.com/2016/7/10/12127638/uber-ergo-investigation-lawsuit-fraud-travis-kalanick | title =How Uber secretly investigated its legal foes — and got caught | last2 =Hawkins | first2 =Andrew | last1 =Brandom | first1 =Russel | date =July 10, 2016 | website =theverge.com | publisher =The Verge | access-date =July 18, 2022 | quote =By the end of the week, Henley was on the phone with a corporate research firm called Ergo, also known as Global Precision Research LLC, asking for help with "a sensitive, very under-the-radar investigation." After a few emails, Henley worked out the terms of the deal with an Ergo executive named Todd Egeland. It would be a "level two" investigation, the middle of the three levels of work offered by Ergo. It would be drawn from seven source interviews conducted over the course of 10 days, for which Uber would pay $19,500. As with any Ergo investigation, the confidentiality of the client was paramount, and sources were never meant to know who was paying for the research. "We do quite a bit of this work for law firms," Egeland reassured him. (Ergo did not respond to requests for comment.) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-uber-rakoff-20160610-snap-story.html | title =Column: How sleazy is Uber? This federal judge wants to know | last =Hiltzik | first =Michael | date =June 10, 2016 | website =Los Angeles Times| access-date =July 22, 2022 | quote =As it turns out, it was them. Uber confessed in February that it had hired the security firm Ergo to investigate Mayer and his lawyers. In fact, Meyer's lawyers say Ergo's investigative report was circulating in Uber's offices and may have been in the hands of the company's general counsel, Salle Yoo, on January 20, the very day the company's lawyers were saying "it is not us." }}</ref>

=== Sexual harassment allegations and management shakeup (2017) ===
On February 19, 2017, former Uber engineer [[Susan Fowler]] published on her website that she was propositioned for sex by a manager and subsequently threatened with [[termination of employment]] by another manager if she continued to report the incident. Kalanick was allegedly aware of the complaint.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.susanjfowler.com/blog/2017/2/19/reflecting-on-one-very-strange-year-at-uber | title=Reflecting on one very, very strange year at Uber | first=Susan | last=Fowler | author-link=Susan Fowler | date=February 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/02/uber-ceo-orders-urgent-investigation-into-sexual-harassment-allegations | title=Uber C.E.O. Orders "Urgent Investigation" into Sexual Harassment Allegations | work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] | first=Maya | last=Kosoff | date=February 20, 2017 | archive-date=July 13, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713100734/http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/02/uber-ceo-orders-urgent-investigation-into-sexual-harassment-allegations | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> On February 27, 2017, [[Amit Singhal]], Uber's Senior Vice President of Engineering, was forced to resign after he failed to disclose a [[sexual harassment]] claim against him that occurred while he served as Vice President of [[Google Search]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/27/technology/uber-sexual-harassment-amit-singhal-resign.html | title=Amit Singhal, Uber Executive Linked to Old Harassment Claim, Resigns | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Mike | last=Isaac | date=February 27, 2017 | url-access=limited | archive-date=March 8, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308220211/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/27/technology/uber-sexual-harassment-amit-singhal-resign.html | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> After investigations led by former attorney general [[Eric Holder]] and [[Arianna Huffington]], a member of Uber's [[board of directors]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-uber-eric-holder-20170221-story.html | title=Uber hires Eric Holder to investigate sexual harassment claims | last=Overly | first=Steven | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=February 21, 2017 | archive-date=February 21, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221212821/http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-uber-eric-holder-20170221-story.html | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> in June 2017, Uber fired over 20 employees.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/06/uber-fires-employees-sexual-harassment-investigation | title=Uber fires more than 20 employees after sexual harassment investigation | first=Olivia | last=Solon | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=June 7, 2016 | issn=0261-3077 | archive-date=June 7, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607072309/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/06/uber-fires-employees-sexual-harassment-investigation | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://fortune.com/2017/06/06/uber-sexual-harassment-investigation/ | title=Uber Fires More Than 20 Employees After Harassment Investigation: Report | first=Polina | last=Marinova | work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] | date=June 6, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608214413/http://fortune.com/2017/06/06/uber-sexual-harassment-investigation/ | archive-date=June 8, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Kalanick took an indefinite leave of absence but, under pressure from investors, he resigned as CEO a week later.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/technology/uber-ceo-travis-kalanick.html | title=Uber Founder Travis Kalanick Resigns as C.E.O. | last=Isaac | first=Mike | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 21, 2017 | url-access=limited | archive-date=June 21, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621140538/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/technology/uber-ceo-travis-kalanick.html | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Segall | first=Laurie | author-link=Laurie Segall | url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/06/21/technology/uber-travis-kalanick-resignation/index.html | title=Travis Kalanick resigns as Uber CEO after months of crisis | work=[[CNN]] | date=June 21, 2017 | archive-date=August 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831175001/https://money.cnn.com/2017/06/21/technology/uber-travis-kalanick-resignation/index.html | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Also departing the company in June 2017 was [[Emil Michael]], a senior vice president who suggested that Uber hire a team of opposition researchers and journalists, with a million-dollar budget, to "dig up dirt" on the personal lives and backgrounds of journalists who reported negatively on Uber, specifically targeting [[Sarah Lacy]], editor of [[PandoDaily]], who, in an article published in October 2014, accused Uber of [[sexism]] and [[misogyny]] in its advertising.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://pando.com/2014/10/22/the-horrific-trickle-down-of-asshole-culture-at-a-company-like-uber/ | title=The horrific trickle down of Asshole culture: Why I've just deleted Uber from my phone | first=Sarah | last=Lacy | author-link=Sarah Lacy | work=[[PandoDaily]] | date=October 22, 2014 | archive-date=September 10, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910094635/https://pando.com/2014/10/22/the-horrific-trickle-down-of-asshole-culture-at-a-company-like-uber/ | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/uber-executive-suggests-digging-up-dirt-on-journalists | title=Uber Executive Suggests Digging Up Dirt On Journalists | first=Ben | last=Smith | work=[[BuzzFeed]] | date=November 17, 2014| archive-date=September 17, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917124113/https://www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/uber-executive-suggests-digging-up-dirt-on-journalists | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/emil-michael-of-uber-proposes-digging-into-journalists-private-lives/ | title=Uber Executive Proposes Digging into Journalists' Private Lives | last=Isaac | first=Mike | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=November 18, 2014 | url-access=limited | archive-date=November 3, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103020355/https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/emil-michael-of-uber-proposes-digging-into-journalists-private-lives | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://pando.com/2014/11/17/the-moment-i-learned-just-how-far-uber-will-go-to-silence-journalists-and-attack-women/ | title=The moment I learned just how far Uber will go to silence journalists and attack women | last=Lacy | first=Sarah | author-link=Sarah Lacy | work=[[PandoDaily]] | date=November 17, 2014 | archive-date=September 8, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202245/https://pando.com/2014/11/17/the-moment-i-learned-just-how-far-uber-will-go-to-silence-journalists-and-attack-women/ | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://time.com/5023287/uber-threatened-journalist-sarah-lacy/ | title=Uber Executive Said the Company Would Spend 'A Million Dollars' to Shut Me Up | last=Lacy | first=Sarah | author-link=Sarah Lacy | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=November 14, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728010303/http://time.com/5023287/uber-threatened-journalist-sarah-lacy/ | archive-date=July 28, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://qz.com/1003453/emil-michael-ubers-most-scandal-ridden-exec-is-reportedly-out/ | title=Uber's most scandal-ridden exec is out – and it's not Travis Kalanick | first=Alison | last=Griswold | work=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] | date=June 12, 2017 | archive-date=September 9, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909185330/https://qz.com/1003453/emil-michael-ubers-most-scandal-ridden-exec-is-reportedly-out/ | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In August 2018, Uber agreed to pay a total of $7 million to settle claims of gender discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environment, with 480 employees and former employees receiving $10,700 each and 56 of those employees and former employees receiving an additional $33,900 each.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/21/technology/uber-settlement/index.html | title=Uber to pay 56 workers $1.9 million for harassment and discrimination claims | first=Sara Ashley | last=O'Brien | work=[[CNN]] | date=August 22, 2018 | archive-date=September 9, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909191906/https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/21/technology/uber-settlement/index.html | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In December 2019, Kalanick resigned from the [[board of directors]] of the company and sold his shares.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/24/travis-kalanick-to-depart-uber-board-of-directors.html | title=Travis Kalanick severs all ties with Uber, departing board and selling all his shares | first=Annie | last=Palmer | work=[[CNBC]] | date=December 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/24/technology/uber-travis-kalanick.html | title=Uber Founder Travis Kalanick Leaves Board, Severing Last Tie | first=Kate | last=Conger | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=December 24, 2019 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/uber-co-founder-travis-kalanick-to-depart-companys-board-11577196747 | title=Uber Co-Founder Travis Kalanick Departs Board, Sells All His Shares | first=Eliot | last=Brown | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=December 24, 2019 | url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/12/travis-kalanick-quits-ubers-board-sells-off-all-his-uber-stock/ | title=Travis Kalanick quits Uber's board, sells off all his Uber stock | first=TIMOTHY B. |last=LEE | work=[[Ars Technica]] | date=December 24, 2019}}</ref>

=== Delayed disclosure of data breaches ===
On February 27, 2015, Uber admitted that it had suffered a [[data breach]] more than nine months prior. Names and license plate information from approximately 50,000 drivers were inadvertently disclosed.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Guess | first1=Megan | title=50,000 Uber driver names, license plate numbers exposed in a data breach | url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2015/02/50000-uber-driver-names-license-plate-numbers-exposed-in-a-data-breach/ | work=[[Ars Technica]] | date=February 28, 2015 | archive-date=November 25, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125151136/http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/02/50000-uber-driver-names-license-plate-numbers-exposed-in-a-data-breach/ | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Uber discovered this leak in September 2014, but waited more than five months to notify the affected individuals.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/27/uber-database-breach-exposed-information-of-50000-drivers-company-confirms/ | title=Uber Database Breach Exposed Information Of 50,000 Drivers, Company Confirms | last=Taylor | first=Colleen | work=[[TechCrunch]] | date=February 22, 2015 | archive-date=December 30, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230044044/https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/27/uber-database-breach-exposed-information-of-50000-drivers-company-confirms/ | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

An announcement in November 2017 revealed that in 2016, a separate data breach had disclosed the personal information of 600,000 drivers and 57 million customers. This data included names, email addresses, phone numbers, and drivers' license information. Hackers used employees' usernames and passwords that had been compromised in previous breaches (a "[[credential stuffing]]" method) to gain access to a private [[GitHub]] repository used by Uber's developers. The hackers located credentials for the company's [[Amazon Web Services]] datastore in the repository files, and were able to obtain access to the account records of users and drivers, as well as other data contained in over 100 [[Amazon S3]] buckets. Uber paid a $100,000 ransom to the hackers on the promise they would delete the stolen data.<ref>{{cite news | last=Lee | first=Dave | title=Uber concealed huge data breach | work=[[BBC News]] | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42075306 | date=November 22, 2017 | archive-date=June 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625153418/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-42075306 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Farivar | first=Cyrus | title=Hackers hit Uber in 2016: data on 57 million riders, drivers stolen | url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/11/report-uber-paid-hackers-100000-to-keep-2016-data-breach-quiet/ | work=[[Ars Technica]] | date=November 21, 2017 | archive-date=November 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122092119/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/11/report-uber-paid-hackers-100000-to-keep-2016-data-breach-quiet/ | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Uber was subsequently criticized for concealing this data breach.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/22/uber-scrutiny-data-breach-hacking | title=Uber faces slew of investigations in wake of 'outrageous' data hack cover-up | first=Julia Carrie | last=Wong | author-link=Julia Carrie Wong | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=November 22, 2017 | archive-date=November 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122220336/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/22/uber-scrutiny-data-breach-hacking | url-status=live | df=mdy-all}}</ref> Dara Khosrowshahi publicly apologized.<ref>{{cite news | title=Uber Paid Hackers to Delete Stolen Data on 57 Million People | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-21/uber-concealed-cyberattack-that-exposed-57-million-people-s-data | work=[[Bloomberg News]] | date=November 21, 2017 | url-access=subscription | archive-date=November 21, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121220601/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-21/uber-concealed-cyberattack-that-exposed-57-million-people-s-data | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://business.financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/uber-reveals-coverup-of-hack-affecting-57m-riders-drivers-2 | title=Uber reveals coverup of hack affecting 57M riders, drivers | first=Michael | last=Liedtke | agency=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[Financial Post]] | date=November 22, 2017 | archive-date=September 8, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908164515/https://business.financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/uber-reveals-coverup-of-hack-affecting-57m-riders-drivers-2 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all}}</ref> In September 2018, in the largest multi-state settlement of a data breach, Uber paid $148 million to the [[Federal Trade Commission]], and admitted that internal access to consumers' personal information was closely monitored on an ongoing basis was false, and stated that it had failed to live up to its promise to provide reasonable security for consumer data.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/uber-to-pay-148-million-penalty-to-settle-2016-data-breach-1537983127 | title=Uber to Pay $148 Million Penalty to Settle 2016 Data Breach | last=Al-Muslim | first=Aisha | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=September 26, 2018 | issn=0099-9660 | archive-date=September 27, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927030837/https://www.wsj.com/articles/uber-to-pay-148-million-penalty-to-settle-2016-data-breach-1537983127 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all}}</ref> In November 2018, Uber's British divisions were fined £385,000 (reduced to £308,000) by the [[Information Commissioner's Office]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/mpns/2553890/uber-monetary-penalty-notice-26-november-2018.pdf | title=Monetary Penalty Notice (Uber) | publisher=[[Information Commissioner's Office]] | date=27 November 2018 | archive-date=November 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164802/https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/mpns/2553890/uber-monetary-penalty-notice-26-november-2018.pdf | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In 2020, the [[US Department of Justice]] announced criminal charges against former Chief Security Officer [[Joe Sullivan (Internet security expert)|Joe Sullivan]] for [[obstruction of justice]]. The criminal complaint said Joe Sullivan arranged with Travis Kalanick's knowledge, to pay a ransom for the 2016 breach as a "bug bounty" to conceal its true nature, and for the hackers to falsify non-disclosure agreements to say they had not obtained any data.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/20/904113981/former-uber-executive-charged-with-paying-hush-money-to-conceal-massive-breach |title=Former Uber Executive Charged With Paying 'Hush Money' To Conceal Massive Breach | first=SHANNON | last=BOND | work=[[NPR]] | date=August 20, 2020}}</ref>

=== Privacy ===
In July 2017, Uber received a five-star privacy rating from the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eff.org/who-has-your-back-2017 | title=Who Has Your Back? Government Data Requests 2017 | first=Rainey | last=Reitman | work=[[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] | date=July 10, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915003333/https://www.eff.org/who-has-your-back-2017 | archive-date=September 15, 2018 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> but was harshly criticized by the group in September 2017 for a controversial policy of tracking customers' locations even after a ride ended, forcing the company to reverse its policy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gebhart |first=Kurt Opsahl and Gennie|title=In A Win For Privacy, Uber Restores User Control Over Location-Sharing |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/09/win-privacy-uber-restores-user-control-over-location-sharing| website=[[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] | date=September 18, 2017}}</ref>

In January 2024, Uber was fined 10 million euros ($11 million) by the [[Dutch Data Protection Authority]] for violating privacy regulations pertaining to the personal data of its drivers. The authority determined that Uber had failed to provide clear information in its terms and conditions regarding the duration for which it retained drivers' personal data, as well as the measures taken to secure this data when transmitting it to undisclosed entities outside the [[European Economic Area]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2024 |title=Dutch watchdog fines Uber 10 mln euros over privacy regulations infringement Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/dutch-watchdog-fines-uber-10-mln-euros-over-privacy-regulations-infringement-2024-01-31/ |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In August 2024, Uber was fined €290m euros ($324 million) by the Dutch Data Protection Authority for transferring the personal data of European drivers to US servers in breach of the [[General Data Protection Regulation|GDPR]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Khalil |first=Hafsa |date=26 August 2024 |title=Uber fined €290m for personal data transfer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy76v561g48o |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

=== Labor ===
In February 2023, Uber drivers went on strike in the US and UK to protest wages and fees. They were joined by drivers from [[Lyft]] and [[DoorDash]] delivery workers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-14 |title=Date night strike: Thousands of US, UK delivery, ride-hailing drivers stop work on Valentine's Day |url=https://apnews.com/article/uber-lyft-drivers-strike-valentines-day-e22eee6bb6c008a7dc05a32061e8ab55 |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Uber One lawsuit ===
In April 2025, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) sued Uber, alleging that it engaged in deceptive billing practices related to the Uber One service. According to the complaint, Uber enrolled some of its customers in the $9.99 monthly service without their consent, and used unlawful tactics to make cancellation difficult for consumers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Eli |date=2025-04-21 |title=FTC Sues Uber Over Billing for Its Uber One Subscription Service |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/technology/uber-one-lawsuit-ftc.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Ads and promotions ===
In March 2024, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported a trend of popular service apps like Uber emphasizing higher margin advertising to increase profits. The reporting mentioned Uber personalizing content based on user data and maintain the balance between increasing ad revenue and annoying and turning away customers. It noted that Uber was showing customers one ad per trip and how it tried to implement push alerts before moving away from them given the response from customers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rana |first=Preetika |title=Uber and Instacart Are Showing More Ads in Their Apps. Not All Customers Like It. |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/uber-lyft-instacart-app-ads-users-97b096e2 |access-date=2024-03-08 |work=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Passenger Safety and Sexual Assault Lawsuits (2024) ===
In February 2024, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) was established in the Northern District of California against Uber Technologies, Inc., consolidating numerous claims from among the more than 3,000 sexual assault lawsuits filed against the company in state and federal courts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-04 |title=Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit [2024 Update] - Legal Action for Uber Sexual Assault Victims |url=https://www.torhoermanlaw.com/uber-sexual-assault-lawsuit/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=TorHoerman Law, LLC |language=en}}</ref> These lawsuits allege Uber prioritized growth over safety by using inadequate background checks, skipping in-person driver vetting, and failing to invest in preventive measures such as cameras or monitoring systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In re: Uber Technologies, Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation (MDL No. 3084) |url=https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/breyer-charles-r-crb/ubermdl/ |website=United States District Court Northern District of California |language=en}}</ref> It also claims Uber knowingly put vulnerable passengers, such as intoxicated women, at risk through its marketing and business practices. The litigation seeks injunctive relief, damages and changes to Uber's safety policies. Some survivors have chosen to pursue justice in state courts outside of the MDL, seeking faster resolutions and a more individualized approach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-21 |title=Uber's Terms of Use Fails to Split Up Mass Sexual Assault Suits |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/ubers-terms-of-use-fails-to-split-up-mass-sexual-assault-suits |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Bloomberg Law |language=en}}</ref>

=== Wage Theft claims ===
In 2020, 5,000 drivers filed wage and hour claims with the California labour commission office against Uber and [[Lyft]], alleging they were misclassified as independent contractors. [[Rideshare Drivers United (California)|Rideshare]] Drivers United in California claim that at least 250,000 individual rideshare drivers in California who drove for the apps between 2016 and 2020 are estimated to be eligible for the settlement for wage theft claims of tens of billions of dollars.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sainato |first=Michael |date=2025-03-26 |title=California Uber and Lyft drivers push for settlement in wage theft claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/uber-lyft-drivers-wage-theft-settlement-california |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>