🚖 Leaked Secrets: ‘Uber Files’ Reveals Dark Trade Tricks

Thousands of leaked files have exposed how Uber courted top politicians and how far it went to avoid justice.

The ride-hailing platform was caught in governments’ crosshairs; drivers and riders tried to bypass regulators and cut corners as it navigated legal loopholes to expand at a breathtaking pace — and of course, get where it is.

The Uber Files — Uber’s confidential files include 124,000 internal emails, text messages, and internal documents of Uber.

They are a classic example of how Big Tech manages to get ahead of the curve and how policy often has to play catch-up.

Spilling the Beans

The Files revealed how tools like “greyball” and “geofencing” were deployed to keep Uber rides away from prying policemen and government officials.

The internal tactic called the “kill switch” was used to escape raids by the government.

It also highlights how the company worked closely with country officials to sideline local cab businesses.

The Indian Angle

The world’s most-valued startup’s name has become more of a verb lately.

Uber was not just one of the world’s fastest-growing companies — it was one of the most controversial, dogged by court cases, allegations of sexual harassment, and data breach scandals.

India was among the countries where Uber deployed the ‘Kill Switch’ tactic as it was facing regulatory issues with the Reserve Bank of India and governmental authorities like the Service Tax authorities, Consumer Courts, and Income Tax.

Moreover, for Uber’s India operations, the classification of drivers, and as a consequence, their entitlement to minimum wages and other benefits were not made uber clear.

The ride-sharing platform holds a treasure trove of information on the ride-hailers.

Guilty As Charged

Uber has admitted to “mistakes and missteps” in the past. On the other hand, it also claims to have transformed since 2017.

High time, Uber?

Too long? Here’s a one-liner: Uber’s confidential ‘Uber Files’ have revealed the secret story of how it won access to world leaders, found its way past legal loopholes, cozied up to oligarchs, and dodged taxes and government scrutiny.

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