Reading Uber’s privacy policy took much longer than I would like to admit and can be viewed here. Uber offers a relatively straightforward privacy policy by segmenting out each section by topic with broader titles that make it easy to skip to the certain sect that you wish to read. It however like most policy statements are very very long and make it very hard for the user to actually want to read them no matter what the language is. The initial barrier in the past has been the language used and now its length. There needs to be a way to create shorter policies so that people Can actually read them in a timely manner. The outlines are very clear with what data is collected shared and created throughout the trip and afterward. Basically Uber has access to everything you give them access to, all the data created while in their cars, and anything that Uber partners have on you as well. An interesting point that I’d like to point out is a certain section in the policy that talks about Uber sharing data with “subsidiaries and affiliates” Who are Uber’s affiliates? They give an example of the United States, “For example, Uber processes and stores data in the United States on behalf of its international subsidiaries and affiliates.” I’m not sure about you but I have no idea what that means other than the location by which they store our data. Digging a little bit deeper that means that anyone Uber would deem as an affiliate means that they would have access to your data. For example, an Uber affiliate is Toyota, this isn’t uncommon as Lyft is partnered with GM but the question then stands as do you want companies that you may not necessarily align with to have access to your data through another company? Uber is also partnered with BMW, Pepsi, and Amex to name a few according to fortune.com. My answer to that is no if I give consent to Uber to have access to my data only Uber should have access to that and no one else unless I allow it. I asked a fellow Uber user about this and here is what they said below…
Transcript:
D: As a frequent user of Uber, how do you feel about the idea that when signing up for Uber you are giving up your information to not only Uber but all of their affiliates and third parties as well? An example of this would be Toyota., Amex, Pepsi, and BMW.
Interviewee: “I don’t see the point in them having to share the data, like if I sign up to go and I need a ride somewhere what data do you need from me other than my credit card info and my phone number where I downloaded the app to go and drop me off somewhere?”
Sources:
https://www.fredbeans.com/toyota-partners-with-uber-gm-with-lyft/
https://www.uber.com/legal/en/document/?country=united-states&lang=en&name=privacy-notice
https://time.com/3986016/google-facebook-twitter-privacy-policies/
