Privacy rights group protests Uber's new policy

Alex Cnossen

Alex Cnossen Jun 27, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Privacy rights group protests Uber's new policy</h1>
                <h2><p>A privacy rights group is filing a complaint against Uber, citing several concerns about the ride-sharing service's new policy that gives it right to track users — even if they aren't currently using the Uber app. The New York Times reports that complaint about the new policy</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/alex-cnossen-crosscut-com/">Alex Cnossen</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>A privacy rights group is filing a <a href="https://dev.cascadepbs.org/content/files/privacy/internet/ftc/uber/complaint.pdf">complaint</a> against Uber, citing several concerns about the ride-sharing service's new policy that gives it right to track users — even if they aren't currently using the Uber app. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/23/technology/uber-data-collection-changes-should-be-barred-privacy-group-urges.html?_r=0&ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">The New York Times reports </a>that complaint about the new policy could draw quick attention from regulators, because the policy is scheduled to take effect on July 15. Critics say the policy would allow Uber to collect precise location data about a customer's smartphone — even, in many cases, if the app is running in the background or the GPS location finder is turned off. In its May 28 <a href="http://newsroom.uber.com/2015/05/an-update-on-privacy-at-uber/?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">statement</a>, Uber said that the changes "would allow Uber to launch new promotional features that use contacts — for example the ability to send special offers to riders' friends or family."</p>
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A privacy rights group is filing a complaint against Uber, citing several concerns about the ride-sharing service's new policy that gives it right to track users — even if they aren't currently using the Uber app. The New York Times reports that complaint about the new policy could draw quick attention from regulators, because the policy is scheduled to take effect on July 15. Critics say the policy would allow Uber to collect precise location data about a customer's smartphone — even, in many cases, if the app is running in the background or the GPS location finder is turned off. In its May 28 statement, Uber said that the changes "would allow Uber to launch new promotional features that use contacts — for example the ability to send special offers to riders' friends or family."

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By Alex Cnossen

Alex Cnossen is a Northwest native and has worked for several local publications, including KOMO, KIRO and KING-TV. He grew up in Portland and loves to run and write. Follow him on Twitter @CnossenAle