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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

#11

Post by Cacti »

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...

Travis seems more than capable of destroying his company on his own without resorting to fantastical conspiracy theories.

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

#12

Post by linkregister »

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?

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

#13

Post by was_boring »

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 would say it's more likely if he had stayed the politics could have stopped it. Now that he quit, he doesn't have the boss's blessing so they are free to pursue.

This is exactly what K street is paid to stop.

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

#14

Post by Kinnard »

>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 driving Uber is an "aggressive tactic"

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

#17

Post by bogositosius »

sidlls wrote: post #8
bogositosius wrote: post #2

Evading local regulators is a federal matter?

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?

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

#18

Post by samrap »

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 billions, at some point this kind of stuff surfaces. You can't run a successful company and get away with this stuff, especially as a start up when everyone is out to get you even moreso.

I'm still waiting for the big one that makes me quit using Uber though.

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

#19

Post by codecamper »

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…

Nope. Lyft has to protect themselves from Uber drivers.

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

#20

Post by sidlls »

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?

I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know. It just seems to me that if you use infrastructure that crosses state borders, e.g. a telephone or a computer network, to facilitate a crime committed in a state the Federal government has at least some reason to bring a criminal case. I suspect it'd be a law passed under the Interstate Commerce clause of the Constitution.
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