Uber has come under fire lately for the practices of some drivers who have recorded and streamed their fares to make extra money online. These videos, sometimes mundane and sometimes scandalous, have become wildly popular on streaming services like Twitch. Unfortunately, they’ve also been a source of embarrassment and humiliation to the people recorded.
Often, these recordings have been performed and streamed without the permission of the riders. This has lead to powerful questions about privacy rights in the modern era and whether an Uber vehicle counts as a public place with no expectation of privacy. The company has now taken steps to address the issue, while still protecting its drivers. Learn about the connection between Uber and privacy rights, how to protect yourself when using ridesharing services and when to contact an Uber attorney for help.
Uber and Privacy
The current issues with Uber and privacy began with the advent of dashcams installed in vehicles. Initially, it was said that this was allowed as a protective measure for drivers, by recording what happened for record-keeping and security purposes. After all, if a camera is rolling and a client makes an accusation against a driver, the footage can prove what really happened.
Unfortunately, some drivers soon saw other opportunities in these cameras. They began streaming their fares on services like Twitch and charging for the privilege of watching the drama unfold. In our current voyeuristic society, this trend took off like wildfire. Then the bad news started to roll in. People were fired for talking trash about their bosses and disciplined for making disparaging remarks about their coach, and the personal information of riders was revealed to the world.
Damage Done
With peoples’ names, addresses, phone numbers and other information revealed through these personal conversations, real harm was done. For its part, Uber generally washed its hands of the issues, simply mandating that its drivers follow local privacy laws. One driver in St. Louis was found to have livestreamed over 700 riders without their consent.
Since then, and particularly following the livestream of a conversation about team operations from a number of professional hockey players, Uber has strengthened its stance. It has now banned drivers from streaming video from passengers, and the general manager of Uber Canada recently stated that it is unacceptable for drivers to film or record passengers without their consent.
Protect Yourself With Help From Gruber Law
There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself, but none are foolproof, and some could result in additional problems. You have the right to clearly state that you don’t want to be recorded. The driver, however, can always then refuse to drive you, which can leave you stranded. In addition, you may find that you have been recorded anyway.
If you think you’ve been recorded in an Uber without your consent, or that your private information has been compromised through the driver’s irresponsible actions, you may have legal recourse. Contacting a qualified, experienced Uber attorney like Gruber Law Group can be a good first step. Give us a call for more information about Uber and privacy, and to schedule a free consultation today.
Leave a Reply