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Uber Now Tracks Passengers' Locations Even After They're Dropped Off

954 views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  jfinks 
#1 ·

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltech...ngers-locations-even-after-theyre-dropped-off

Uber's latest update allows the ride-hailing app to track user location data even when the application is running in the background. The change in location data gathering is quite apparent - after the update is completed, Uber prompts users to accept the new policy by enabling their phones to make the change.

Previously, Uber only collected data from the user if the rider had the application open. Now, if a rider calls for an Uber and closes the app, Uber says it will continue to collect location data up until five minutes after the ride ends. That means Uber can see where you end up after you leave the car.

So your secret rendezvous may not be so secret.

Uber now will be focused on collecting rider data, rather than just driver and trip data. "We do this to improve pickups, drop-offs, customer service, and to enhance safety," Uber says on its website.

Uber hopes to eliminate the most frustrating part of the experience: the game of phone tag that both the rider and driver play when trying to coordinate the pickup spot. By collecting location data when the ride is called, Uber can use the information gathered to gain a better sense of locations at large venues. Hopefully this will lead to less confusion when dropping a pin, or maybe it will improve the chance that users will be picked up on the correct side of the street.

Electronic Privacy Information Center previously filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission over Uber's plans to collect more user data. "The FTC failed to act and Uber is now tracking users non-stop," EPIC says on its website.

Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, who expressed disappointment with Uber previously, told NPR in a statement that the update "raises questions" that the app is requiring users to "grant permission to track their location at all times." Franken said he plans to look at the issue further.

One reason this update could be causing a stir is the change in privacy settings necessary to use the Uber app. iOS users' location-sharing choices changed from "Never" share location and share location "While Using the App" to "Never" and "Always." The "Always" setting implies that Uber could access riders' locations when they are not on rides. However, Uber says on its site that location data will only be collected from the inception of the ride through five minutes after the end of the trip. iOS and Android users can choose the "Never" option, which will require riders to manually enter pickup information.

Uber has previously faced issues with location information collection. In January, Uber paid a $20,000 fine in New York following an investigation into the company's "God View" tool. The tool allowed employees to view and track individual riders in real time.
 
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#2 ·

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltech...ngers-locations-even-after-theyre-dropped-off

Uber's latest update allows the ride-hailing app to track user location data even when the application is running in the background. The change in location data gathering is quite apparent - after the update is completed, Uber prompts users to accept the new policy by enabling their phones to make the change.

Previously, Uber only collected data from the user if the rider had the application open. Now, if a rider calls for an Uber and closes the app, Uber says it will continue to collect location data up until five minutes after the ride ends. That means Uber can see where you end up after you leave the car.

So your secret rendezvous may not be so secret.

Uber now will be focused on collecting rider data, rather than just driver and trip data. "We do this to improve pickups, drop-offs, customer service, and to enhance safety," Uber says on its website.

Uber hopes to eliminate the most frustrating part of the experience: the game of phone tag that both the rider and driver play when trying to coordinate the pickup spot. By collecting location data when the ride is called, Uber can use the information gathered to gain a better sense of locations at large venues. Hopefully this will lead to less confusion when dropping a pin, or maybe it will improve the chance that users will be picked up on the correct side of the street.

Electronic Privacy Information Center previously filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission over Uber's plans to collect more user data. "The FTC failed to act and Uber is now tracking users non-stop," EPIC says on its website.

Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, who expressed disappointment with Uber previously, told NPR in a statement that the update "raises questions" that the app is requiring users to "grant permission to track their location at all times." Franken said he plans to look at the issue further.

One reason this update could be causing a stir is the change in privacy settings necessary to use the Uber app. iOS users' location-sharing choices changed from "Never" share location and share location "While Using the App" to "Never" and "Always." The "Always" setting implies that Uber could access riders' locations when they are not on rides. However, Uber says on its site that location data will only be collected from the inception of the ride through five minutes after the end of the trip. iOS and Android users can choose the "Never" option, which will require riders to manually enter pickup information.

Uber has previously faced issues with location information collection. In January, Uber paid a $20,000 fine in New York following an investigation into the company's "God View" tool. The tool allowed employees to view and track individual riders in real time.
So now it doesn't matter if I get dropped off at the church and then walk across the street. Big Brother Uber is going to know I'm at the nuddie bar. Hope the wife can't duplicate this technology.
 
#3 ·
They probably don't associate a name with the location, but they could if they wanted to, but probably don't just for security reasons. They are really only collecting data about where a uber rider went, what esablishment or area, and what day and time. Over time they can use this to give incentives to drivers to service those areas at certain days and times. Remember this is a huge organization that covers 100s of cities in many countries. There isn't some guy sitting there in each city directing cars to go where. Uber uses data to automatically direct things as much as possible using extremely complex prediction algorithms.

One scenario is say 10 riders Uber to a popular spot at a certain day and time. There is an 80% probability (lets say the system calculates this percent) that within 2 hours those same 10 riders are going to need a ride home, or whatever time that is calculated as. The system knows the riders "usually" use Uber for rides and it knows how price sensitive they are to surge pricing. It probably is smart enough to know riders check pricing and how long they will wait until surge is lower and at what surge level the rider will say that's perfect, lets go. Surges don't just happen, they are predicted possibly an hour or 2 in advance and the system watches trends in the area to gain accuracy as the surge time approaches. It most likely also knows on average how long riders stay in an establishment or area.

This data isn't used to bust a persons wife or husband cheating or going to a nudie bar, Ubers doesn't care what people do. They just want to provide the best service possible at the right times and make as much money as possible. When Uber makes more money the drivers make more money.
 
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