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Why does people think that software is beyond the law? The secret services think that reading electronic communications is ok when the physical counterpart was
by kartan 10y ago
Why does people think that software is beyond the law?
The secret services think that reading electronic communications is ok when the physical counterpart was not.
A company thinks that because they offer their services using and app they are beyond regulations, permits and other laws.
No, laws still should apply in the virtual world. And apps and the Internet have real world consequences. It's a shame that judges often are so slow to apply the law in this cases. And that so often they miss the point.
Now Uber should just do what any bricks and mortar business needs to do and get a license, operate inside the boundaries of the law and compete with taxis in a fair way to bring people good services.
- roymurdock 10y agoThe law is not immutable. It's an evolving code of moral/social expectations and norms that changes as societies change. At the end of the day, this was a business decision. Uber weighed the potential costs ($1m in fines, no jail time, minor brand damage to an already-sleazy brand) against the potential gain ($10's of m in revenue, foothold in new market, disruption of competitors) and decided to break the law. If "society" did not want Uber to break the law, it would need to raise the associated costs. Almost everyone besides taxi driver unions/medallion-holders is apathetic to Uber's transgressions. Thus the taxi unions are weakened and the law changes to reflect changing social sentiment.
- chillacy 10y ago> compete with taxis in a fair way to bring people good services I'd argue that taxi companies being so deeply entrenched into the government is unfair for any startup in the space. The boundaries of the law are rigged in the taxi company's favor.