From the Article (and a few other sources): The access was used to allow uber to display maps on the apple watch, which was a blocker for the iOS watch app lau

From the Article (and a few other sources): The access was used to allow uber to display maps on the apple watch, which was a blocker for the iOS watch app launch. Apple wanted uber as a launch partner so they have uber the permission to do this as a hack/workaround to hit the launch day delivery deadline. They do not use it anymore. This isn't about "uber/apple wants to spy on you and suck up all your data all the time" this is about "Uber/Apple will compromise your security to hit their milestones and/or engagement metrics".