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Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

reuters.com

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Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#31

Post by sillysaurus3 »

eridius wrote: post #25
samrap wrote: post #18

At first, it seemed like legitimate software to assess spam until: > For example, it mined credit card information to see if the owner was affiliated with a credit union used by police and checked social media profiles to assess the likelihood that the person was in law enforcement. Yikes. I know people who have the mentality that this sort of thing is ok. Whether you're a startup that never makes it, or one worth bi…

Why haven't you quit yet? There's been more ugly stuff coming out about Uber over the past few years than basically the entire of the rest of the tech industry combined.

I mean, we can say "It's wrong for you to keep using the thing on your phone that's installed and works," but all that will do is make people conceal that they still use Uber.

A better approach might be an anecdote: My friend actually made the switch to Lyft, and apparently it's just as quick and effective as Uber. She hasn't had any complaints as far as I know.

Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#33

Post by vuln »

linkregister wrote: post #12

This is really big; if they were misusing credit card records like that, they risk losing accreditation from their PCI systems. There is probably some criminal aspect to violating PCI as well. Does anyone here know more about how PCI works?

Just went through a PCI audit at a fortune 150. It's not just you it's your processors too. It was hectic to say the least. Then come insurance renewals.

Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#35

Post by iaw »

bogositosius wrote: post #17
sidlls wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When it's done using communication and information transfer across state borders there is at least a case to be made for that.

Hmm. But local taxi regulations are not federal law, so what's the underlying federal crime being committed?

Electronic surveillance techniques could be one angle.

Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#36

Post by pavel_lishin »

Kinnard wrote: post #14

>the Greyball technique was also used against suspected local officials who could have been looking to fine drivers, impound cars or otherwise prevent Uber from operating, the employees said Doesn't Uber have a responsibility to protect itself and its drivers from fake riders looking to do harm even if they're government employees?? I think going after average or in many cases poor people trying to make a buck drivin…

> Doesn't Uber have a responsibility to protect itself and its drivers from fake riders looking to do harm even if they're government employees??

Sure, just like a mob boss has a responsibility to protect himself and his underlings.

Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#37

Post by linkregister »

iloveluce wrote: post #4

Everyone really is piling up against Uber. I really hope this isn't some sort of Justice Department revenge against Travis for having left the Trump advisory council [0] [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/technology/uber-ceo-travi...

I don't think the council holds any real influence. Also that would be unethical for U.S. Attorneys to do that. I think it's unlikely they're related.

Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#38

Post by defen »

sillysaurus3 wrote: post #3

It's so strange how quickly all of this happened. Actually I guess it's been awhile. https://twitter.com/dhh/status/504374011711594496 was in 2014, wow.

You know, I remember posting on this site years ago that the Uber CEO was a terrible person (Based on a few interactions I had with him back when UberCab had about 5 employees) and being told by some prominent people that I was wrong. This was back when YC was talking about how "niceness" was a key quality in successful founders. Feels good to have my instincts vindicated.

Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#39

Post by openasocket »

bogositosius wrote: post #2

Evading local regulators is a federal matter?

Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corru...

Any organization that is suspected of committing one of a list of crimes enumerated in that article, and engages in activity across state lines, falls under federal jurisdiction. In this case, I'm guessing the charge is obstruction of justice. But I'm not a lawyer, and they could be using something other than RICO to press this case

Re: Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities

#40

Post by bogositosius »

kevan wrote: post #23
Kinnard wrote: post #14

>the Greyball technique was also used against suspected local officials who could have been looking to fine drivers, impound cars or otherwise prevent Uber from operating, the employees said Doesn't Uber have a responsibility to protect itself and its drivers from fake riders looking to do harm even if they're government employees?? I think going after average or in many cases poor people trying to make a buck drivin…

If those local officials were issuing arbitrary fines and illegally impounding cars I'd agree with you. But they weren't. Those local officials were enforcing the laws of their jurisdictions, which Uber was trying to circumvent.

So let the local officials bring a case.
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