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I would say the only item you've brought up that even comes close to "morally bankrupt" is #3. While Uber has definitely used some dirty tricks to go after Lyft

I would say the only item you've brought up that even comes close to "morally bankrupt" is #3. While Uber has definitely used some dirty tricks to go after Lyft, my understanding is they've teamed up with them in going after regulatory issues. The New Delhi rape case could have just as easily happened to Lyft. The infrastructure for background checks and criminal records in India is more or less nonexistent, so I doubt that Lyft would've been able to catch this driver before he committed a crime any more than Uber would've been able to. The incident is awful, but not Uber's fault. Moreover, would a taxi company be held responsible for a driver raping a passenger? The examples of Uber violating privacy are sketchy at best. It appears that the god mode app is akin to Google's live search feature which displays thousands of real-time searches for demonstration purposes. The rides-of-glory incident was definitely a PR gaffe, but once again, far from morally bankrupt. If anything it was a play on the OKCupid-style data driven blog posts. I don't see anyone accusing them of being morally bankrupt. As for the comments on digging up dirt on journalists, based on whats come out from OTHER sources at the private dinner (NOT a "very public forum" as you described it) it was taken out of context. Its unfortunate that Uber is taking heat for so many things. I use Uber often and trust them with my data. I think anyone that is seriously troubled by the recent onslaught against Uber should take a moment to really think about whether they provide a genuine service or are just scumbags.

lolwutf 12y ago
> The New Delhi rape case could have just as easily happened to Lyft. No, not necessarily. The key here is that each company is ultimately the responsible party for vetting the drivers that come to you. Uber touts a rigorous background checking process but, as we've seen, time and time again, their background checking has been horrible/not actually existent.
shangxiao 12y ago
> Moreover, would a taxi company be held responsible for a driver raping a passenger? Yes! If not legally responsible, at the very least they are socially & morally responsible.
sravfeyn 12y ago
> The New Delhi rape case could have just as easily happened to Lyft. The infrastructure for background checks and criminal records in India is more or less nonexistent, It's not about non-existent prevention mechanisms. It's about how difficult it is to contact Uber (at least in India), whether they took the responsibility of what happened, and whether they are going to invest time to take preventive measures instead of immorally running after competitors in India. Having a bad automated support at a company like Uber that deals with transporting flesh around is a sign of being morally irresponsible.
steamboiler 12y ago
> The infrastructure for background checks and criminal records in India is more or less nonexistent, so I doubt that Lyft would've been able to catch this driver before he committed a crime any more than Uber would've been able to. Yes, blame it on the system. Never mind that Uber performed NO checks; never mind that the guy's record was revealed shortly after his arrest, indicating that had Uber performed a check they stood a good chance of finding the same out. While India's police system is not perfect, Uber's attitude is downright arrogant: "it is you natives and your cops who are to blame". The law mandates a background check, you didn't follow the mandate. The least you can do is to own up to that.
plinkplonk 12y ago
"The infrastructure for background checks and criminal records in India is more or less nonexistent" Duh. Not true. It is not a perfect system, but there is a system of police verification. If someone has gone to jail for rape, (as this driver has) the check would bring it up. Besides the point isn't whether the system is perfect. The point is that Uber didn't bother using the system or following the laws of the land and plays fast and loose with claims of "verification of drivers". From Uber CEO Travis Kalanick "We will work with the government to establish clear background checks currently absent in their commercial transportation licensing programs" He makes it sound like it is the government's fault. No, background checks are not "currently absent" in transportation licensing. Police verification of taxi/transport drivers is mandated by law. Uber ignored this law (as it ignores many laws, all over the world). Now this lowlife blames the government/Indian laws. You can't decide not to follow laws because you think them "incomplete", and then not get blamed when such avoidance bites you in the ass. What a dick. "Safest rides on the road" my ass.
- general_failure 12y ago
  The police in India are morally bankrupt. A background check by them carries little value.
  - FlyingSnake 12y ago
    I'm sure you've sources to backup your claim.
- known 12y ago
  The culprit allegedly paid 5000 rupees to Delhi Police and got "Character" Certificate.

lolwutf 12y ago

> The New Delhi rape case could have just as easily happened to Lyft. No, not necessarily. The key here is that each company is ultimately the responsible party for vetting the drivers that come to you. Uber touts a rigorous background checking process but, as we've seen, time and time again, their background checking has been horrible/not actually existent.

shangxiao 12y ago

> Moreover, would a taxi company be held responsible for a driver raping a passenger? Yes! If not legally responsible, at the very least they are socially & morally responsible.

sravfeyn 12y ago

> The New Delhi rape case could have just as easily happened to Lyft. The infrastructure for background checks and criminal records in India is more or less nonexistent, It's not about non-existent prevention mechanisms. It's about how difficult it is to contact Uber (at least in India), whether they took the responsibility of what happened, and whether they are going to invest time to take preventive measures instead of immorally running after competitors in India. Having a bad automated support at a company like Uber that deals with transporting flesh around is a sign of being morally irresponsible.

steamboiler 12y ago

> The infrastructure for background checks and criminal records in India is more or less nonexistent, so I doubt that Lyft would've been able to catch this driver before he committed a crime any more than Uber would've been able to. Yes, blame it on the system. Never mind that Uber performed NO checks; never mind that the guy's record was revealed shortly after his arrest, indicating that had Uber performed a check they stood a good chance of finding the same out. While India's police system is not perfect, Uber's attitude is downright arrogant: "it is you natives and your cops who are to blame". The law mandates a background check, you didn't follow the mandate. The least you can do is to own up to that.

plinkplonk 12y ago

"The infrastructure for background checks and criminal records in India is more or less nonexistent" Duh. Not true. It is not a perfect system, but there is a system of police verification. If someone has gone to jail for rape, (as this driver has) the check would bring it up. Besides the point isn't whether the system is perfect. The point is that Uber didn't bother using the system or following the laws of the land and plays fast and loose with claims of "verification of drivers". From Uber CEO Travis Kalanick "We will work with the government to establish clear background checks currently absent in their commercial transportation licensing programs" He makes it sound like it is the government's fault. No, background checks are not "currently absent" in transportation licensing. Police verification of taxi/transport drivers is mandated by law. Uber ignored this law (as it ignores many laws, all over the world). Now this lowlife blames the government/Indian laws. You can't decide not to follow laws because you think them "incomplete", and then not get blamed when such avoidance bites you in the ass. What a dick. "Safest rides on the road" my ass.

general_failure 12y ago
The police in India are morally bankrupt. A background check by them carries little value.
- FlyingSnake 12y ago
  I'm sure you've sources to backup your claim.
known 12y ago
The culprit allegedly paid 5000 rupees to Delhi Police and got "Character" Certificate.