Uber Faces Another Privacy Complaint - Tracking Users After Leaving Car?
Photo: Reuters |
Uber is the nation’s largest ride-sharing company. You can get a ride in over 60 cities and become a taxi driver too. Because the model circumvents typical government and business obstacles and allows individuals the ability to draw extra income, it’s been a boon to free market and entrepreneur admirers.
Unfortunately, the admiration bumps up against hesitation with fears of surveillance and tracking via its state-of-the-art software. That technology may have led to a $200+ million investment by Google last year. It was rumored that the investment would go towards expansion into person-to-person delivery service, but so far those dreams are unrealized.
Last Monday, after catching wind of an anticipated privacy policy change, a privacy-rights organization is joining up with the Federal Trade Commission to contest Uber’s alleged desire to track and collect user data.
Newsfactor has just reported:
In a 23-page complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission, the Electronic Privacy Information Center called for the agency to investigate Uber and halt possible privacy invasions ahead of a revised policy set to take effect July 15.
“Uber’s revised privacy policy creates several risks for American consumers,” said EPIC in its complaint.
Uber adamantly denies the charge and says that the complaint has “no basis” and “that users would ‘be in control’ of how they release personal information.”
The company promised that the privacy statement would be simpler, easier to read and clearly state the users’ privacy boundaries as far as data collection goes.
The biggest concern for EPIC, a Washington D.C.-based research center, is that Uber will collect location data from passengers even after they arrive at their destinations, as the Uber app can track GPS data if left running in the background of an iPhone, or other iOS device. Even users who turn off their GPS location finder could still be found through their phone IP address, which the privacy policy says offers a “unique identifier” for each user.
EPIC also claims that Uber will be able to access passenger’s contact lists, which it could use to send out promotional ads.
Such practices would not comprise new parts of the privacy policy. Rather, they are existing data collection possibilities that have come under scrutiny after Uber revised its policy May 28, with the intent, it said, to be jargon-free and clear to readers.
[...]
…According to EPIC, Uber tracked the location of journalists reporting on the company who had used its app, and one employee shared that data within the company. Other employees had turned on “God View,” an internal program, to track customers without their knowledge.
Leave your comments below and share the discourse.
Recently from Amanda Warren:
- Ex-Officer Lets Rip a Twitter Rant About Witnessed Baltimore Cop Corruption
- Police Killed More Americans In 2014 Than All U.S. Mass Shootings Combined
- Cop on Film Brutally Murders Ex-Wife in Car With Young Daughter in Tow
Source: http://www.activistpost.com/2015/06/uber-faces-another-privacy-complaint.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
