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Uber can't seem to catch a break these days, can they. Can anyone explain how this is different from Google and Facebook following you around with informatics

Uber can't seem to catch a break these days, can they. Can anyone explain how this is different from Google and Facebook following you around with informatics everywhere you go on the internet? The favicon trick is a pretty good example.

AnimalMuppet 9y ago
Does this behavior warrant Uber catching a break? In my opinion, no. If Uber wants to catch a break, maybe they should stop behaving like this...
wickawic 9y ago
Google and Facebook don't (get caught) breaking each other's Terms of Service. I haven't read the leagalese, but I would imagine using Lyft's APIs to compete directly with their business is probably not kosher.
JumpCrisscross 9y ago
As someone else said, Google and Facebook haven't been caught breaching terms of service or accessing others' "computers" [1] without authorization. Another interesting question is how Uber has gone from being untouchable to assailable since the sexual harassment scandals. Uber is a populist creature. Their users used to protect them from harassment. Now, fewer people show up for protests or call their representatives to defend Travis and friends. Part of this is because, in most places, there are other options. Part of it is they lost their base. [1] See 18 U.S.C. § 1030 a/k/a the CFAA
- nikcub 9y ago
  > As someone else said, Google and Facebook haven't been caught breaching terms of service or accessing others' "computers" [1] without authorization. Google developed a hack for Safari to bypass the default third-party cookie blocking[0] Facebook made private profile information available to apps installed by friends[1] It seems rather arbitrary to distinguish Uber from the multiple occasions both Facebook and Google have had to answer or settle with the FTC for mishandling private user data. [0] http://www.zdnet.com/article/google-pays-17m-to-settle-safari-cookie-privacy-bypass-charge/ http://www.zdnet.com/article/google-pays-17m-to-settle-safar... [1] https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/092-3184/facebook-inc https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/092-3184/f...
__jal 9y ago
> Uber can't seem to catch a break these days, can they. Maybe if they didn't act like coke-addled frat-boys in Vegas, they'd get better press.
zeven7 9y ago
What's the favicon trick?
- cryowaffle 9y ago
  http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16828763/use-favicon-to-track-user-visit-to-a-website http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16828763/use-favicon-to-t...
  - tyingq 9y ago
    The Etag trick was interesting, but a little less stealthy: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_ETag#Tracking_using_ETags https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_ETag#Tracking_using_ETa...
- misiti3780 9y ago
  https://www.quora.com/How-does-a-tracking-pixel-work https://www.quora.com/How-does-a-tracking-pixel-work

AnimalMuppet 9y ago

Does this behavior warrant Uber catching a break? In my opinion, no. If Uber wants to catch a break, maybe they should stop behaving like this...

wickawic 9y ago

Google and Facebook don't (get caught) breaking each other's Terms of Service. I haven't read the leagalese, but I would imagine using Lyft's APIs to compete directly with their business is probably not kosher.

JumpCrisscross 9y ago

As someone else said, Google and Facebook haven't been caught breaching terms of service or accessing others' "computers" [1] without authorization. Another interesting question is how Uber has gone from being untouchable to assailable since the sexual harassment scandals. Uber is a populist creature. Their users used to protect them from harassment. Now, fewer people show up for protests or call their representatives to defend Travis and friends. Part of this is because, in most places, there are other options. Part of it is they lost their base. [1] See 18 U.S.C. § 1030 a/k/a the CFAA

nikcub 9y ago
> As someone else said, Google and Facebook haven't been caught breaching terms of service or accessing others' "computers" [1] without authorization. Google developed a hack for Safari to bypass the default third-party cookie blocking[0] Facebook made private profile information available to apps installed by friends[1] It seems rather arbitrary to distinguish Uber from the multiple occasions both Facebook and Google have had to answer or settle with the FTC for mishandling private user data. [0] http://www.zdnet.com/article/google-pays-17m-to-settle-safari-cookie-privacy-bypass-charge/ http://www.zdnet.com/article/google-pays-17m-to-settle-safar... [1] https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/092-3184/facebook-inc https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/092-3184/f...

__jal 9y ago

> Uber can't seem to catch a break these days, can they. Maybe if they didn't act like coke-addled frat-boys in Vegas, they'd get better press.

zeven7 9y ago

What's the favicon trick?

cryowaffle 9y ago
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16828763/use-favicon-to-track-user-visit-to-a-website http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16828763/use-favicon-to-t...
- tyingq 9y ago
  The Etag trick was interesting, but a little less stealthy: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_ETag#Tracking_using_ETags https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_ETag#Tracking_using_ETa...
misiti3780 9y ago
https://www.quora.com/How-does-a-tracking-pixel-work https://www.quora.com/How-does-a-tracking-pixel-work