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Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

techcrunch.com

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Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#11

Post by posguy »

tyingq wrote: post #7
OedipusRex wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges Uber broadly invaded the privacy of the Lyft drivers, specifically violated the California Invasion of Privacy Act and Federal Wiretap Act and engaged in unfair competition"

For completeness, the earlier article[1] also quoted a lawyer who listed other reasons various parties might take action: "breach of contract, unfair business practices, stealing trade secrets and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act" [1] https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/12/hell-o-uber/

Violating the TOS of your competitors API so you can directly compete with them is risky, and due to the overly broad nature of CFAA it could easily end with multiple Uber employees in prison if pursued criminally.

Not that I think it will be pursued criminally, as Uber has power & influence on its side to protect it from repercussions people like myself would face for doing the same exact thing. I wish that weren't the case though, we should all be equal in the eyes of the law.

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#13

Post by Chaebixi »

sillysaurus3 wrote: post #2

So, no one was really able to answer my question last thread. In fact, I mostly got snarky condescending replies. I've stopped caring about such things though, so hopefully good-faith questions are still welcome: What's wrong with Uber tracking Lyft drivers? What is wrong with using a competitor's API to get real-time tactical information about them? Not only did it not harm Lyft drivers, but it actually aided them:…

I would prefer businesses compete on the services they provide to their customers, not on how effectively they can sneakily torpedo their competitors (by, in this case, trying to deny them their suppliers).

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#14

Post by leggomylibro »

sillysaurus3 wrote: post #2

So, no one was really able to answer my question last thread. In fact, I mostly got snarky condescending replies. I've stopped caring about such things though, so hopefully good-faith questions are still welcome: What's wrong with Uber tracking Lyft drivers? What is wrong with using a competitor's API to get real-time tactical information about them? Not only did it not harm Lyft drivers, but it actually aided them:…

It's probably an unauthorized use of the API; Lyft's API is not public, and requires a separate agreement to use.

https://developer.lyft.com/docs/lyft-developer-platform-term...

One section I'd draw particular attention to reads,

"You Will Not: a. use the Platform or Service in any manner that is competitive to Lyft or the Service, including in connection with any application, website or other product or service that also includes, features, endorses, or otherwise supports in any way a third party that provides services competitive to Lyft’s products and services, in our sole discretion; ..."

So if Uber profited from that misuse, why wouldn't Lyft have a case?

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#15

Post by tyingq »

Analemma_ wrote: post #8
sillysaurus3 wrote: post #2

So, no one was really able to answer my question last thread. In fact, I mostly got snarky condescending replies. I've stopped caring about such things though, so hopefully good-faith questions are still welcome: What's wrong with Uber tracking Lyft drivers? What is wrong with using a competitor's API to get real-time tactical information about them? Not only did it not harm Lyft drivers, but it actually aided them:…

If you drive for Uber, you presumably agreed to some kind of contract where it's OK for them to track your every move. Drivers who only work for Lyft made no such agreement with Uber. That's probably what this will hinge on.

I don't know. From the earlier article:

"Hell originated after Uber created fake rider accounts on Lyft and used software to trick Lyft’s system into thinking those riders were in certain locations. This allowed Uber to see the eight closest available Lyft drivers to each fake rider."

That's probably going to cost them one way or the other. That's actively interfering with both Lyft and the driver.

IANAL, but that sounds a lot like "tortious interference" and maybe more.

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#16

Post by dave5104 »

nodesocket wrote: post #10

It is no coincidence that Techcrunch loves writing negative articles about Uber almost weekly now.... It draws in page views which equals ad revenue from the constantly outraged.

Maybe Uber should stop doing negative things then.

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#17

Post by nodesocket »

dave5104 wrote: post #16
nodesocket wrote: post #10

It is no coincidence that Techcrunch loves writing negative articles about Uber almost weekly now.... It draws in page views which equals ad revenue from the constantly outraged.

Maybe Uber should stop doing negative things then.

You think the same about United and now American? Perhaps it just that the outraged minority now have a louder voice. There is a financial benefit for them writing negative articles, outrage/scandal draws in viewers.

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#18

Post by thaumasiotes »

leggomylibro wrote: post #14
sillysaurus3 wrote: post #2

So, no one was really able to answer my question last thread. In fact, I mostly got snarky condescending replies. I've stopped caring about such things though, so hopefully good-faith questions are still welcome: What's wrong with Uber tracking Lyft drivers? What is wrong with using a competitor's API to get real-time tactical information about them? Not only did it not harm Lyft drivers, but it actually aided them:…

It's probably an unauthorized use of the API; Lyft's API is not public, and requires a separate agreement to use. https://developer.lyft.com/docs/lyft-developer-platform-term... One section I'd draw particular attention to reads, "You Will Not: a. use the Platform or Service in any manner that is competitive to Lyft or the Service, including in connection with any application, website or other product or service that…

Well, in a perfect world, because the clause would be unenforceable as contrary to public policy.

I have no opinion on the actual legality of it.

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#19

Post by AnimalMuppet »

david-cako wrote: post #12

Uber can't seem to catch a break these days, can they. Can anyone explain how this is different from Google and Facebook following you around with informatics everywhere you go on the internet? The favicon trick is a pretty good example.

Does this behavior warrant Uber catching a break? In my opinion, no.

If Uber wants to catch a break, maybe they should stop behaving like this...

Re: Uber gets sued over alleged ‘Hell’ program to track Lyft drivers

#20

Post by AnimalMuppet »

thaumasiotes wrote: post #18
leggomylibro wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's probably an unauthorized use of the API; Lyft's API is not public, and requires a separate agreement to use. https://developer.lyft.com/docs/lyft-developer-platform-term... One section I'd draw particular attention to reads, "You Will Not: a. use the Platform or Service in any manner that is competitive to Lyft or the Service, including in connection with any application, website or other product or service that…

Well, in a perfect world, because the clause would be unenforceable as contrary to public policy. I have no opinion on the actual legality of it.

Why is that clause contrary to public policy?

If I provide information to my customers, I have to provide the same information directly to my competitor? Why does that make the world better?

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