Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
F.B.I. Investigates Uber Software Used to Monitor Lyft Drivers
Source: New York Times
F.B.I. Investigates Uber Software Used to Monitor Lyft Drivers
By MIKE ISAAC and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM SEPT. 8, 2017
SAN FRANCISCO — The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States attorney’s office in New York are looking into whether Uber used tactics and software to illegally interfere with Lyft, its largest American competitor.
The investigation is focused on Uber’s use of a special program internally called “Hell,” said people with knowledge of the proceedings, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Uber had used the program to gain an edge over Lyft in markets where both companies operated, these people said.
A spokesman for Uber confirmed that the ride-hailing company was cooperating with the investigation but declined further comment. A spokesman for the United States attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment, while the F.B.I.’s New York office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The investigation was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal.
While Uber appointed a new chief executive last month, the ride-hailing company continues to grapple with the fallout from past actions under Travis Kalanick, its former chief. Mr. Kalanick prized aggression in building Uber, which often resulted in tactics and practices that skirted the boundaries of the law — and that have led to multiple legal headaches.
-snip-
By MIKE ISAAC and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM SEPT. 8, 2017
SAN FRANCISCO — The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States attorney’s office in New York are looking into whether Uber used tactics and software to illegally interfere with Lyft, its largest American competitor.
The investigation is focused on Uber’s use of a special program internally called “Hell,” said people with knowledge of the proceedings, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Uber had used the program to gain an edge over Lyft in markets where both companies operated, these people said.
A spokesman for Uber confirmed that the ride-hailing company was cooperating with the investigation but declined further comment. A spokesman for the United States attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment, while the F.B.I.’s New York office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The investigation was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal.
While Uber appointed a new chief executive last month, the ride-hailing company continues to grapple with the fallout from past actions under Travis Kalanick, its former chief. Mr. Kalanick prized aggression in building Uber, which often resulted in tactics and practices that skirted the boundaries of the law — and that have led to multiple legal headaches.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/technology/fbi-investigates-uber-software-used-to-monitor-lyft-drivers.html
