Earlier this year, New York City-based black-car app, Gett, accused Uber of ordering rides and then cancelling them. In a Tech Crunch piece, Uber responded saying: “We apologize for the tactics used to recruit drivers in NYC a couple of weeks ago and took steps to ensure that it does not occur again…”
Now, Lyft has accused Uber of ordering and cancelling 5,560 rides since October, 2013. On camera, Uber’s CEO Travis Kalanick states: “Every once in a while a team in Shanghai or a team in New York might get really aggressive about recruiting drivers on the system. But at the end of the day I think the company has really strong principles and we feel good about how we act in the marketplace.”
Uber has announced that it intends to launch a political campaign against its opponent, “Taxi.” Here, referencing his need for this political campaign, Kalanick states: “We have to persuade politicians and city officials.”
Setting aside the ethics of ordering and cancelling rides, what does it mean when Uber publicly apologizes for a practice, announces it has taken steps to prevent such activity in the future, then allegations emerge that the company has been engaging in the same practice in a big way before, during and after its public apology for doing so?
What does this say about Uber the candidate—the candidate that wishes to “persuade politicians and city officials” that it can be trusted to provide safe for-hire transportation to a city’s sons and daughters?
This is yet another indication that Uber the candidate is a liar. Lying for profit. Lying for convenience. Maybe both. What does it matter?
What does matter is that “voters” across the country become aware just what kind of candidate Uber is.
Now, Lyft has accused Uber of ordering and cancelling 5,560 rides since October, 2013. On camera, Uber’s CEO Travis Kalanick states: “Every once in a while a team in Shanghai or a team in New York might get really aggressive about recruiting drivers on the system. But at the end of the day I think the company has really strong principles and we feel good about how we act in the marketplace.”
Uber has announced that it intends to launch a political campaign against its opponent, “Taxi.” Here, referencing his need for this political campaign, Kalanick states: “We have to persuade politicians and city officials.”
Setting aside the ethics of ordering and cancelling rides, what does it mean when Uber publicly apologizes for a practice, announces it has taken steps to prevent such activity in the future, then allegations emerge that the company has been engaging in the same practice in a big way before, during and after its public apology for doing so?
What does this say about Uber the candidate—the candidate that wishes to “persuade politicians and city officials” that it can be trusted to provide safe for-hire transportation to a city’s sons and daughters?
This is yet another indication that Uber the candidate is a liar. Lying for profit. Lying for convenience. Maybe both. What does it matter?
What does matter is that “voters” across the country become aware just what kind of candidate Uber is.