A LOT of this stuff is pretty easily explainable. They want access to SMS and phone calls because the Uber app uses those things. Camera doesn't seem terribly implausible. IT could be an incoming feature that allows you to take a photo of where you are so that your driver can find you more easily. The WiFi stuff is probably related to location. edit: as pointed out below, this is so that you can take a photo of your…
This is the definition of malware:
n. Malicious computer software that interferes with normal computer functions or sends personal data about the user to unauthorized parties over the Internet.
I'm all for people taking responsibility for their privacy but this is basically what you are saying to people:
"Hey you accepted that list of permissions (or Terms of Service)! What? you didn't expect that your Taxi app is not going to retrieve and store your call logs and other personal information? How silly of you."
This rational among tech people is why there is zero privacy. The myth of consumer choice in the matter. The average person doesn't reasonably expect Uber to be mining this information about them. Merely assuming it is a function of the application.
We in technology know that they can but the average user? Who has responsibility here then? Noone? Uber has an ethical responsibility not to actually abuse this trust from their users IMO. Which is why the inclusion of this library deserves scrutiny.