Uber Admit To Use Its Secret Software Greyball To Deceive Local Authorities
Uber has acknowledged the use of a secret software program to steer drivers away from trouble, including sting operations by local authorities to catch law-breakers.
In the latest in a streak of damaging news for the ridesharing giant, Uber came forward about its "Greyball" software yesterday after a New York Times report which said the program aimed to deceive authorities in markets around the world.
According to an Uber statement, the tool was used in cities where it was not banned from operating, and the main intent was to protect drivers from disruption by competitors using the smartphone application to interfere instead of summon legitimate rides.
"This program denies ride requests to fraudulent users who are violating our terms of service," an Uber spokesperson said in an...