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City of Portland Concludes Investigation into Uber’s Use of Greyball

29 points by us0r 9y ago

cowpig 9y ago
How does this fit into the bigger picture? Is there any punitive action?
- harrisi 9y ago
  From the audit[0]: > Based on this analysis, PBOT has found that when Uber illegally entered the Portland market in December 2014, the company tagged 17 individual rider accounts, 16 of which have been identified as government officials using its Greyball software tool. Uber used Greyball software to intentionally evade PBOT’s officers from December 5 to December 19, 2014 and deny 29 separate ride requests by PBOT enforcement officers. On December 21, 2014 Uber ceased operations in the City of Portland. Uber received a permit to operate in the City of Portland during an initiated Pilot Period beginning April 24, 2015. Uber has provided documentation which shows the Greyball tags were removed on April 24, 2015. After April 2015, PBOT did not find any evidence suggesting that either Uber or Lyft attempted to use a software tool to evade PBOT’s officials in their efforts to protect TNC consumers or to deny consumers rides based on their location. So I believe the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) considers the temporary shutdown in 2014/2015 was enough. They do state, however: > it is important to note that finding no evidence of the use of Greyball or similar software tools after April 2015 does not prove definitively that such tools were not used. It is inherently difficult to prove a negative. So they're taking it somewhat seriously. [0]: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/saltzman/article/638525 https://www.portlandoregon.gov/saltzman/article/638525
- mr_tristan 9y ago
  From from the main report, no, it doesn't seem like a direct punitive action against Uber, but it sounds like they are preparing to make that happen should something similar ever come to light again, and basically letting the US Attorney deal with the rest: > After PBOT initiated this investigation, the City of Portland was notified by the United States Attorney of the Northern District of California that Uber is the subject of a federal inquiry. The City of Portland is cooperating with this on-going probe. > Based on its investigation, PBOT would also recommend the following changes to the current Transportation Network Company and Taxi Code > ● Strengthen language in the Transportation Network Company & Taxi Code to make it clear any attempt to deceive and evade City Officials will result in fines, suspension or Greyball Audit Report | April 2017 26 revocation of operating permit. > ● Strengthen language in the Transportation Network Company & Taxi Code to make it clear any attempt to discriminate against riders on the basis of race, gender, sex or zip code will result in fines, suspension or revocation of operating permit.

29 points by us0r 9y ago

cowpig 9y ago

How does this fit into the bigger picture? Is there any punitive action?

harrisi 9y ago
From the audit[0]: > Based on this analysis, PBOT has found that when Uber illegally entered the Portland market in December 2014, the company tagged 17 individual rider accounts, 16 of which have been identified as government officials using its Greyball software tool. Uber used Greyball software to intentionally evade PBOT’s officers from December 5 to December 19, 2014 and deny 29 separate ride requests by PBOT enforcement officers. On December 21, 2014 Uber ceased operations in the City of Portland. Uber received a permit to operate in the City of Portland during an initiated Pilot Period beginning April 24, 2015. Uber has provided documentation which shows the Greyball tags were removed on April 24, 2015. After April 2015, PBOT did not find any evidence suggesting that either Uber or Lyft attempted to use a software tool to evade PBOT’s officials in their efforts to protect TNC consumers or to deny consumers rides based on their location. So I believe the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) considers the temporary shutdown in 2014/2015 was enough. They do state, however: > it is important to note that finding no evidence of the use of Greyball or similar software tools after April 2015 does not prove definitively that such tools were not used. It is inherently difficult to prove a negative. So they're taking it somewhat seriously. [0]: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/saltzman/article/638525 https://www.portlandoregon.gov/saltzman/article/638525
mr_tristan 9y ago
From from the main report, no, it doesn't seem like a direct punitive action against Uber, but it sounds like they are preparing to make that happen should something similar ever come to light again, and basically letting the US Attorney deal with the rest: > After PBOT initiated this investigation, the City of Portland was notified by the United States Attorney of the Northern District of California that Uber is the subject of a federal inquiry. The City of Portland is cooperating with this on-going probe. > Based on its investigation, PBOT would also recommend the following changes to the current Transportation Network Company and Taxi Code > ● Strengthen language in the Transportation Network Company & Taxi Code to make it clear any attempt to deceive and evade City Officials will result in fines, suspension or Greyball Audit Report | April 2017 26 revocation of operating permit. > ● Strengthen language in the Transportation Network Company & Taxi Code to make it clear any attempt to discriminate against riders on the basis of race, gender, sex or zip code will result in fines, suspension or revocation of operating permit.