Uber developed and deployed of ‘Greyball’ software for intentionally deceiving and obstructing law enforcement officers and the creation of a playbook with a list of tactics to go along with Greyball that was distributed to its general managers.
It is reported that to counteract authorities trying to book Uber rides to build a case against the service, Uber created ‘Greyball’ software to identify them, and then send them fake versions of its app populated with "phantom" cars that would never arrive.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that there is evidence “showing that before Victoria and NSW decided to legalise the service, Uber was not just operating outside the law, it was actively combating efforts to bring it into line.” The Australian reported that “Uber has set up GPS rings around government offices, tracked low-cost phones and looked for other clues that regulators were targeting its drivers, such as frequently opening or closing the app or using credit cards tied to city agencies, according to the Times report. Once identified, Uber kept regulators out of vehicles by failing to send drivers their way, according to the newspaper.”
(See also coverage in Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, Business Insider, MSN and Gizmodo).
Eventually Uber will have to stop this type of behaviour. Then things will get very interesting.
CAB Price at posting:
$2.28 Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
