> I assume Uber's business model doesn't rely on contractors tax-dodging or skimping on vehicle maintenance! Umm. That is a bad assumption. Uber's business mod

> I assume Uber's business model doesn't rely on contractors tax-dodging or skimping on vehicle maintenance! Umm. That is a bad assumption. Uber's business model depends on foisting liability to anyone but themselves while simultaneously dodging the regulatory constraints on taxi drivers. So while its not specifically dependent on their contractors tax dodging, making that behavior easier leads to a lower cost of labor so the incentives are aligned all wrong. Basically, Uber doesn't perform any kind of reasonable verification beyond a figleaf on anything and hopes contractors won't cheat in a way that reflects badly on Uber. This leads to situations like this: http://www.chron.com/news/transportation/article/How-Uber-driver-eluded-background-check-process-6186467.php http://www.chron.com/news/transportation/article/How-Uber-dr... > The city of Houston's criminal background checks have detected numerous crimes by prospective Uber drivers, ranging from aggravated robbery to driving on a suspended license, according to a report prepared for a Texas House legislative hearing Thursday. > In information prepared for the legislative hearing Thursday, Houston officials said Uber's background checks have problems; Wyoming, for example, is omitted from its search. > Because Uber's check, done by a company called Hirease, is based on Social Security numbers rather than fingerprints, it can be more easily manipulated, the city says. Their entire business model depends on their ability to avoid doing things properly. If it didn't, they wouldn't be intentionally endangering their passengers by cutting corners on things like background checks.