Uber Settles On User Privacy

An on going investigation of the popular car-sharing company, Uber, that has been led by a state attorney general’s office since November 2014 has come to a recent settlement. The investigation centered around the company’s collection, maintenance, and disclosure of customer’s personal information. A data breach of the company’s system had also been reported, in which a third party accessed Uber drivers’ personal information and drivers’ license numbers.

The investigation began after several complaints were filed in which customers were being inappropriately tracked through Uber’s geolocation system, “God View”. This aerial view allows Uber to track real-time movement of cars vis-a-vis customer demand, thereby allowing the company to send alerts rerouting drivers if need be.

Given customer concerns of their privacy, the settlement requires the company to now utilize several data security practices and to encrypt their data, including customer geo-locations, so that riders are protected from unintentional tracking on their persons. Uber will also require a multi-factor authentication that Uber drivers would need to input before accesing customers’ personal information, as well as annual employee training.

The company will also be required to pay a $20,000 penalty for failure to timely notify the affected drivers of the security breach.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have user privacy questions, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

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