Already reeling under pressure from the allegations of sexual assault and kidnapping by over 550 women, ride-hailing platform Uber on Saturday admitted that it knew about the data breach in 2016 that affected 57 million customers and yet failed to inform the public or US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Reportedly, Uber has confessed to the US prosecutors to avoid being levelled with criminal charges, as part of a settlement.&nbsp;When quizzed about how Uber had escaped the criminal charges, Stephanie Hinds, United States Attorney for the Northern District of California stated that the new management of Uber, that took charge in the aftermath of the hacking incident cooperated properly and made informed disclosures.

Furthermore, the new management in 2018 committed FTC to maintain an extensive privacy program for the next twenty years.&nbsp; 
Reportedly, in late 2016, two hackers stole personal data, including phone numbers, email addresses, and names of 57 million Uber&nbsp;passengers, in addition to the driver’s licences of over 600,000 drivers working for the company.&nbsp;

Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/550-women-sue-uber-over-allegations-including-kidnapping-and-sexual-assault-497365">550 women sue Uber over allegations including kidnapping and sexual assault</a>

Joseph Sullivan, the Chief Security Officer of Uber at the time had decided to conceal the all-important information. Reportedly, Sullivan was on the verge of offering $100,000 in Bitcoins to hackers to brush the news under the carpet. He had also got the hackers on board to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

However, when a ‘strong’ executive team took the centre stage, the breach was revealed and Sullivan was thrown to the law enforcement agencies. The former security officer is now being charged with wire fraud and as part of the non-prosecution agreement, Uber Technologies Ltd. will help the prosecutors indict him.

Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-uber-files-leaked-docs-reveal-how-uber-won-access-to-world-leaders-deceived-investigators-496213">The Uber Files: Leaked docs reveal how Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators</a>

It is pertinent to note that Uber had to pay a fine of $148 million to all the 50 US states in September 2018, to settle the claims. However, given that Uber's market value amounted to $76 billion in the same year, many experts called it a mockery of the system.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Already reeling under pressure from the allegations of sexual assault and kidnapping by over 550 women, ride-hailing platform Uber on Saturday admitted that it knew about the data breach in 2016 that affected 57 million customers and yet failed to inform the public or US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Already reeling under pressure from the allegations of sexual assault and kidnapping by over 550 women, ride-hailing platform Uber on Saturday admitted that it knew about the data breach in 2016 that affected 57 million customers and yet failed to inform the public or US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Reportedly, Uber has confessed to the US prosecutors to avoid being levelled with criminal charges, as part of a settlement. When quizzed about how Uber had escaped the criminal charges, Stephanie Hinds, United States Attorney for the Northern District of California stated that the new management of Uber, that took charge in the aftermath of the hacking incident cooperated properly and made informed disclosures. Furthermore, the new management in 2018 committed FTC to maintain an extensive privacy program for the next twenty years. Reportedly, in late 2016, two hackers stole personal data, including phone numbers, email addresses, and names of 57 million Uber passengers, in addition to the driver’s licences of over 600,000 drivers working for the company. Read More: 550 women sue Uber over allegations including kidnapping and sexual assault Joseph Sullivan, the Chief Security Officer of Uber at the time had decided to conceal the all-important information. Reportedly, Sullivan was on the verge of offering $100,000 in Bitcoins to hackers to brush the news under the carpet. He had also got the hackers on board to sign a non-disclosure agreement. However, when a ‘strong’ executive team took the centre stage, the breach was revealed and Sullivan was thrown to the law enforcement agencies. The former security officer is now being charged with wire fraud and as part of the non-prosecution agreement, Uber Technologies Ltd. will help the prosecutors indict him. Read more: The Uber Files: Leaked docs reveal how Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators It is pertinent to note that Uber had to pay a fine of $148 million to all the 50 US states in September 2018, to settle the claims. However, given that Uber's market value amounted to $76 billion in the same year, many experts called it a mockery of the system. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Uber admits concealing the 2016 data leak of 57 million passengers; avoids criminal charges

According to US prosecutors, Uber will provide several million dollars in restitution to the tens of thousands of passengers with impairments who were assessed surcharges. The US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging that wait fees were applied to disabled passengers who required extra time to board cars.&nbsp;

According to the settlement, Uber will provide over 65,000 qualified riders credits worth twice the wait time costs they had previously been assessed, which could amount to millions of dollars. The ride-sharing business has agreed to pay $500,000 to other impacted people and over $1.7 million to riders who complained to Uber about the fees.

People with disabilities shouldn't be treated differently or penalised for having a disability, which is exactly what Uber's wait time fee policy did, according to assistant attorney general Kristen Clarke. Uber declared that it was "pleased" with the resolution. "Prior to this matter being filed we made changes so that any rider who shares that they have a disability would have wait time fees waived automatically," said the company.

Also Read:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lankan-crisis-economy-lessons-india-can-learn-498205">Sri Lankan crisis: Economy lessons India can learn</a>

The Department of Justice claimed that applying these costs to passengers with impairments constitutes unlawful discrimination. Uber charges a fee if a driver must wait longer than two minutes to pick up any passenger. According to the terms of a two-year agreement, Uber will continue to waive wait time fees for passengers who require extra time to board due to impairments and will make sure refunds are simple to obtain in the event that such fees are mistakenly levied.

(with inputs from agencies)

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According to US prosecutors, Uber will provide several million dollars in restitution to the tens of thousands of passengers with impairments who were assessed surcharges.

According to US prosecutors, Uber will provide several million dollars in restitution to the tens of thousands of passengers with impairments who were assessed surcharges. The US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging that wait fees were applied to disabled passengers who required extra time to board cars. According to the settlement, Uber will provide over 65,000 qualified riders credits worth twice the wait time costs they had previously been assessed, which could amount to millions of dollars. The ride-sharing business has agreed to pay $500,000 to other impacted people and over $1.7 million to riders who complained to Uber about the fees. People with disabilities shouldn't be treated differently or penalised for having a disability, which is exactly what Uber's wait time fee policy did, according to assistant attorney general Kristen Clarke. Uber declared that it was "pleased" with the resolution. "Prior to this matter being filed we made changes so that any rider who shares that they have a disability would have wait time fees waived automatically," said the company. Also Read: Sri Lankan crisis: Economy lessons India can learn The Department of Justice claimed that applying these costs to passengers with impairments constitutes unlawful discrimination. Uber charges a fee if a driver must wait longer than two minutes to pick up any passenger. According to the terms of a two-year agreement, Uber will continue to waive wait time fees for passengers who require extra time to board due to impairments and will make sure refunds are simple to obtain in the event that such fees are mistakenly levied. (with inputs from agencies)

Uber settles a US lawsuit concerning 'wait fees' for disabled riders

Around 550 American women who use the ride-hailing service to book rides are suing Uber on the grounds that drivers there sexually assaulted them. The complaint, which was submitted on Wednesday, claims that female passengers who had been matched with Uber drivers through the app had been "kidnapped, sexually assaulted, sexually battered, raped, falsely imprisoned, stalked, harassed, or otherwise attacked" by those drivers in a number of different states.

These most recent allegations came just days after the so-called Uber Files, a cache of more than 124,000 documents covering the years 2013 to 2017 that reveal the company's history of illegal activity, covert lobbying, and unethical behaviour, were made public.

"Putting growth before safety"

The lawsuit claims that despite knowing that its drivers were raping and sexually abusing female passengers as early as 2014, sexual predators operating under the Uber brand continued to target victims. In its place, Uber is charged with putting "expansion over customer safety". 
 
Watch | The Full Context: Leaked documents shed light on the ruthless expansion tactics of Uber

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According to Adam Slater, founding partner of Slater Slater Schulman, "Uber's entire business model is built on providing individuals with a safe ride home, yet rider safety was never their focus – growth was, at the expense of their passengers' safety."

Although the firm has just addressed the sexual assault crisis, its real response has been delayed and insufficient, leading to terrible outcomes.

The complaint was filed in response to Uber's release of its second US Safety Report, which stated that there will be 998 reported instances of sexual assault in 2020, including 141 accusations of rape.

In addition, the report stated that in 2019 and 2020, Uber has received 3,824 reports of the five most serious types of sexual assault. These include rape as well as "non-consensual sexual penetration" or "non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual bodily area." In its inaugural safety report, which covers the years 2017 and 2018, the ride-hailing app discovered 5,981 incidents of sexual assault in these five categories.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Around 550 American women who use the ride-hailing service to book rides are suing Uber on the grounds that drivers there sexually assaulted them. The complaint, which was submitted on Wednesday, claims that female passengers who had been matched with Uber drivers through the app had been "kidnapped, sexually assaulted, sexually battered, raped, falsely imprisoned, stalked, harassed, or otherwise attacked" by those drivers in a number of different states.

Around 550 American women who use the ride-hailing service to book rides are suing Uber on the grounds that drivers there sexually assaulted them. The complaint, which was submitted on Wednesday, claims that female passengers who had been matched with Uber drivers through the app had been "kidnapped, sexually assaulted, sexually battered, raped, falsely imprisoned, stalked, harassed, or otherwise attacked" by those drivers in a number of different states. These most recent allegations came just days after the so-called Uber Files, a cache of more than 124,000 documents covering the years 2013 to 2017 that reveal the company's history of illegal activity, covert lobbying, and unethical behaviour, were made public. "Putting growth before safety" The lawsuit claims that despite knowing that its drivers were raping and sexually abusing female passengers as early as 2014, sexual predators operating under the Uber brand continued to target victims. In its place, Uber is charged with putting "expansion over customer safety". Watch | The Full Context: Leaked documents shed light on the ruthless expansion tactics of Uber According to Adam Slater, founding partner of Slater Slater Schulman, "Uber's entire business model is built on providing individuals with a safe ride home, yet rider safety was never their focus – growth was, at the expense of their passengers' safety." Although the firm has just addressed the sexual assault crisis, its real response has been delayed and insufficient, leading to terrible outcomes. The complaint was filed in response to Uber's release of its second US Safety Report, which stated that there will be 998 reported instances of sexual assault in 2020, including 141 accusations of rape. In addition, the report stated that in 2019 and 2020, Uber has received 3,824 reports of the five most serious types of sexual assault. These include rape as well as "non-consensual sexual penetration" or "non-consensual kissing of a non-sexual bodily area." In its inaugural safety report, which covers the years 2017 and 2018, the ride-hailing app discovered 5,981 incidents of sexual assault in these five categories. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

550 women sue Uber over allegations including kidnapping and sexual assault

Leaked documents from ride-sharing company Uber revealed that Uber used illegal tactics and political lobby to save itself from regulators and expand its business in India and other countries. What do the leaked documents show about Uber's Operations in India? WION decodes the files.

The Full Context: Leaked documents shed light on the ruthless expansion tactics of Uber

Mark MacGann, a former top Uber lobbyist, revealed himself on Monday as the source of the Uber Files leak, which is a joint media investigation that revealed how the ride-sharing app Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators and exploited violence against its drivers in the battle for global dominance.

Mark MacGann, a former top Uber lobbyist, revealed himself on Monday as the source of the Uber Files leak, which is a joint media investigation that revealed how the ride-sharing app Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators and exploited violence against its drivers in the battle for global dominance. A day after the investigative report divulged details about how Uber built a massive influence to gain global domination, MacGann on Monday came out as the whistleblower. He leaked thousands of compromising documents on Uber to the British newspaper The Guardian. MacGann led Uber's lobbying efforts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East between 2014 and 2016. As per the reports, he told the UK-based daily that he decided to speak out because he believed Uber broke the law in dozens of countries and misled people about the company's business model. IN PICS | From harassment to spying on rivals: Uber's litany of controversies In an interview with The Guardian, the 52-year-old said: "I was the one talking to governments, I was the one pushing this with the media, I was the one telling people that they should change the rules because drivers were going to benefit and people were going to get so much economic opportunity." "When that turned out not to be the case -- we had actually sold people a lie -- how can you have a clear conscience if you don't stand up and own your contribution to how people are being treated today?" he added. The Uber Files 'The Uber Files' revealed how the company attracted world leaders to influence legislation and help it avoid taxes. The report highlights the company did ethically dubious acts, that are potentially illegal. The investigation is based on 124,000 records of sensitive texts, emails, invoices, briefing notes, presentations and other documents exchanged by top Uber executives, government bureaucrats and world leaders in nearly 30 countries. ALSO READ | Emmanuel Macron faces criticism from French opposition over 'secret deal' with Uber The documents found that early in the company's history, company officials leveraged sometimes violent backlash from the taxi industry against drivers to garner support and evaded regulatory authorities. Meanwhile, Uber has denied all the accusations against it, including obstructing justice, saying it had changed since the departure of former boss Travis Kalanick, who was accused of creating a toxic workplace culture. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Who is Mark MacGann? The source of the Uber Files leaks

Leaked documents from ride-sharing company Uber revealed that Uber used illegal tactics and political lobby to save itself from regulators and expand its business in India and other countries.

Leaked Uber documents reveal 'illegal tactics' to flout rules, dominate market

The reports of an alleged secret deal between online transport company Uber and French President Emmanuel Macron have sparked a huge response from the opposition parties in France. According to an investigation by leading media outlets based on leaked files, Macron had a “secret deal” with the company during his tenure as economic minister between 2014 and 2016. A report in French daily Le Monde claimed that it was Macron’s ministry that paved the path for Uber to establish its dominance in France with the help of "ready-made" amendments. In the aftermath of the report, a number of opposition deputies have criticised Macron and asked for thorough investigation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-uber-files-leaked-docs-reveal-how-uber-won-access-to-world-leaders-deceived-investigators-496213" hreflang="en">The Uber Files: Leaked docs reveal how Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators</a>

Parliamentary leader of the France Unbowed party - Mathilde Panot – took to Twitter to express her views as she called it the "pillage of the country". She went on to call Macron a "lobbyist" for a "US multinational aiming to permanently deregulate labour law" in her post on the site.

Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel also described the report as "damning revelations about the active role played by Emmanuel Macron, then minister, to facilitate the development of Uber in France. "Against all our rules, all our social rights and against workers' rights," he tweeted.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-fries-with-burgers-mcdonalds-substitute-in-russia-hit-by-potato-shortage-496220" hreflang="en">No fries with burgers! McDonald’s substitute in Russia hit by potato shortage</a>

The President’s office downplayed the allegations saying Macron has "naturally" been in contact with "many companies involved in the profound change in services that has occurred over the years mentioned, which should be facilitated by unravelling certain administrative or regulatory locks".

Uber France also told AFP that the two parties were in contact during that time period, but it was all part of a “normal course of his ministerial duties”.

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(With inputs from agencies)

The reports of an alleged secret deal between online transport company Uber and French President Emmanuel Macron have sparked a huge response from the opposition parties in France.

The reports of an alleged secret deal between online transport company Uber and French President Emmanuel Macron have sparked a huge response from the opposition parties in France. According to an investigation by leading media outlets based on leaked files, Macron had a “secret deal” with the company during his tenure as economic minister between 2014 and 2016. A report in French daily Le Monde claimed that it was Macron’s ministry that paved the path for Uber to establish its dominance in France with the help of "ready-made" amendments. In the aftermath of the report, a number of opposition deputies have criticised Macron and asked for thorough investigation. Also read | The Uber Files: Leaked docs reveal how Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators Parliamentary leader of the France Unbowed party - Mathilde Panot – took to Twitter to express her views as she called it the "pillage of the country". She went on to call Macron a "lobbyist" for a "US multinational aiming to permanently deregulate labour law" in her post on the site. Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel also described the report as "damning revelations about the active role played by Emmanuel Macron, then minister, to facilitate the development of Uber in France. "Against all our rules, all our social rights and against workers' rights," he tweeted. Also read | No fries with burgers! McDonald’s substitute in Russia hit by potato shortage The President’s office downplayed the allegations saying Macron has "naturally" been in contact with "many companies involved in the profound change in services that has occurred over the years mentioned, which should be facilitated by unravelling certain administrative or regulatory locks". Uber France also told AFP that the two parties were in contact during that time period, but it was all part of a “normal course of his ministerial duties”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Emmanuel Macron faces criticism from French opposition over 'secret deal' with Uber

From harassment to spying on rivals: Uber's litany of controversies

A joint media investigation showed how the ride-sharing app Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators and exploited violence against its drivers in the battle for global dominance.

A joint media investigation showed how the ride-sharing app Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators and exploited violence against its drivers in the battle for global dominance. On Sunday (July 10), an investigative report revealed the previously unknown story of how the tech giant dodged taxes amid chaotic global expansion. Led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and The Guardian, 'The Uber Files' project revealed how the company deployed a system of lobbyists to attract prominent world leaders to influence legislation and help it avoid taxes. The report highlights the ethically dubious acts, that are potentially illegal, done by the company to fuel its global expansion beginning nearly a decade ago. The investigation is based on 124,000 records of sensitive texts, emails, invoices, briefing notes, presentations and other documents exchanged by top Uber executives, government bureaucrats and world leaders in nearly 30 countries. The documents found that early in the company's history, company officials leveraged sometimes violent backlash from the taxi industry against drivers to garner support and evaded regulatory authorities. Uber acknowledged 'mistakes' After the report was published, Uber released a statement on Sunday, acknowledging "mistakes". However, the company also said that the blame is on previous leadership under former chief executive Travis Kalanick. In 2017, Kalanick was forced to resign after revelations accusing him of brutal management practices and multiple episodes of sexual and psychological harassment at the company. "We've moved from an era of confrontation to one of collaboration, demonstrating a willingness to come to the table and find common ground with former opponents, including labour unions and taxi companies," it said. As per the report, Uber's subsidised drivers and discounted fares threatened the taxi industry, and the company's drivers faced violent retaliation, including protests in Paris in 2016. The Washington Post was also involved in the probe. It revealed that "In some instances, when drivers were attacked, Uber executives pivoted quickly to capitalize" to seek public and regulatory support as it entered new markets, "often without seeking licenses to operate as a taxi and livery service." As per the Post, Uber is also accused of having worked to evade regulatory investigations by leveraging a technological edge. The media outlet also described an instance when Kalanick implemented a "kill switch" to remotely cut off access of devices in an Amsterdam office to Uber's internal systems as regulators raided. As per The Washington Post, another finding indicated that between 2014 and 2016 Uber found an ally in France's then-economy minister Emmanuel Macron, now the country's president. The company reportedly believed he would encourage regulators "to be 'less conservative' in their interpretation of rules limiting the company's operations." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Uber Files: Leaked docs reveal how Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators

Uber reported 141 instances of sexual assaults including rapes in the United States. The safety report released on Thursday (June 30) by the ride hailing app service covers the data for 2019 and 2020. This is the second report the firm has released about the safety occurrences. According to the new, 78-page report on safety events, the company received 3,824 safety-related complaints of the five most serious types of sexual assaults, which included "non-consensual sexual penetration" and rape. Approximately 91 per cent of rape victims were passengers, and only 7 per cent were drivers (nearly double that of the first report), CNN reported.

"The change in rate of sexual assault reports over time may have been impacted by a number of factors, including how the Covid-19 pandemic altered usage of the platform as well as Uber's safety and transparency efforts. But each reported incident represents a harrowing lived experience for the survivor. Even one report is one report too many."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-arrests-capitol-hill-rioter-after-he-brags-about-crime-to-uber-driver-472930">FBI arrests Capitol Hill rioter after he brags about crime to Uber driver</a>

The current numbers are less than 5,981 reports in 2017 and 2018. Uber said that riders were alleged victims 43 per cent of the time in sexual assault incident reports.

Uber’s overall number of US trips over the two-year period dropped from 2.3 billion to 2.1 billion. The average number of rides per day dropped from 3,1 million to 2.8 million. According to the report, rape incidents accounted for just 0.00002 per cent of all journeys.

During the two-year timeframe, the company also documented 20 fatalities caused by physical assaults, amongst which 15 were passengers.

Watch |&nbsp;Uber joins protest of drivers in Brussels as drivers using app risk losing their vehicles

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As a result of Uber’s initial report, the California Public Utilities Commission fined the company $59 million for withholding information for occurrence of sexual assault and harassment. Later in December 2021, the settlement deal decreased the penalties and Uber agreed to spend $9 million for safety.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uber-relaxes-mask-rules-for-drivers-and-riders-in-us-472158">Uber relaxes mask rules for drivers and riders in US</a>

In contrast, Lyft said in its first safety report that it received 4,158 claims of sexual assaults between 2017 and 2018. Prior to this, Lyft and its shareholders reached an agreement on a $25 million settlement regarding claims and disclosures about the company’s operations particularly in regards with sexual assault and related occurrences.

Uber and Lyft in March 2021 declared that they will publish the names of the drivers who had their account suspended due to being involved in the sexual assaults.

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(With inputs from agencies)

Uber reported 141 instances of sexual assaults including rapes in the United States. The safety report released on Thursday (June 30) by the ride hailing app service covers the data for 2019 and 2020.

Uber reported 141 instances of sexual assaults including rapes in the United States. The safety report released on Thursday (June 30) by the ride hailing app service covers the data for 2019 and 2020. This is the second report the firm has released about the safety occurrences. According to the new, 78-page report on safety events, the company received 3,824 safety-related complaints of the five most serious types of sexual assaults, which included "non-consensual sexual penetration" and rape. Approximately 91 per cent of rape victims were passengers, and only 7 per cent were drivers (nearly double that of the first report), CNN reported. "The change in rate of sexual assault reports over time may have been impacted by a number of factors, including how the Covid-19 pandemic altered usage of the platform as well as Uber's safety and transparency efforts. But each reported incident represents a harrowing lived experience for the survivor. Even one report is one report too many." Also read | FBI arrests Capitol Hill rioter after he brags about crime to Uber driver The current numbers are less than 5,981 reports in 2017 and 2018. Uber said that riders were alleged victims 43 per cent of the time in sexual assault incident reports. Uber’s overall number of US trips over the two-year period dropped from 2.3 billion to 2.1 billion. The average number of rides per day dropped from 3,1 million to 2.8 million. According to the report, rape incidents accounted for just 0.00002 per cent of all journeys. During the two-year timeframe, the company also documented 20 fatalities caused by physical assaults, amongst which 15 were passengers. Watch | Uber joins protest of drivers in Brussels as drivers using app risk losing their vehicles As a result of Uber’s initial report, the California Public Utilities Commission fined the company $59 million for withholding information for occurrence of sexual assault and harassment. Later in December 2021, the settlement deal decreased the penalties and Uber agreed to spend $9 million for safety. Also read | Uber relaxes mask rules for drivers and riders in US In contrast, Lyft said in its first safety report that it received 4,158 claims of sexual assaults between 2017 and 2018. Prior to this, Lyft and its shareholders reached an agreement on a $25 million settlement regarding claims and disclosures about the company’s operations particularly in regards with sexual assault and related occurrences. Uber and Lyft in March 2021 declared that they will publish the names of the drivers who had their account suspended due to being involved in the sexual assaults. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Uber’s safety report recorded 141 sexual assaults including rapes in 2020

Uber is being sued by Australia's competition watchdog for USD 18.69 million fine. The action has come after Uber admitted to have misled consumers about ride fare estimates and cancellation fees.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Tuesday said Uber admitted that between December 2017 and September 2021 it warned consumers they would be charged fees for cancelling rides even though the cancellation was sought during its "free cancellation period."

"Uber admits it misled Australian users for a number of years, and may have caused some of them to decide not to cancel their ride after receiving the cancellation warning, even though they were entitled to cancel free of charge under Uber's own policy," ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

The competition watchdog also said that Uber admitted to having falsely represented estimates of fare for its taxi option.

"The misleading information on Uber's app deprived consumers of a chance to make an informed decision about whether or not to choose the Uber Taxi option," Cass-Gottlieb said.

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Uber said that ever since the ACCC has raised the issue, it has "worked to streamline our in-app messages to make it clear exactly when cancellation charges will or will not apply, per occasion, so that riders always have certainty."

The ACCC and Uber are jointly seeking court orders, including declarations that the ride-hailing platform breached the country's consumer law, and to impose upon it penalties, the regulator said further.

Uber is being sued by Australia's competition watchdog for USD 18.69 million fine. The action has come after Uber admitted to have misled consumers about ride fare estimates and cancellation fees.

Uber is being sued by Australia's competition watchdog for USD 18.69 million fine. The action has come after Uber admitted to have misled consumers about ride fare estimates and cancellation fees. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Tuesday said Uber admitted that between December 2017 and September 2021 it warned consumers they would be charged fees for cancelling rides even though the cancellation was sought during its "free cancellation period." "Uber admits it misled Australian users for a number of years, and may have caused some of them to decide not to cancel their ride after receiving the cancellation warning, even though they were entitled to cancel free of charge under Uber's own policy," ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said. The competition watchdog also said that Uber admitted to having falsely represented estimates of fare for its taxi option. "The misleading information on Uber's app deprived consumers of a chance to make an informed decision about whether or not to choose the Uber Taxi option," Cass-Gottlieb said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × Uber said that ever since the ACCC has raised the issue, it has "worked to streamline our in-app messages to make it clear exactly when cancellation charges will or will not apply, per occasion, so that riders always have certainty." The ACCC and Uber are jointly seeking court orders, including declarations that the ride-hailing platform breached the country's consumer law, and to impose upon it penalties, the regulator said further.

Australia: Competition watchdog sues Uber for USD 19 million fine

A brag about rioting to an Uber driver has led to arrest of a Capitol rioter by FBI in the US. Capitol Hill riots on January 6, 2021 were perpetrated by supporters of US President Donald Trump. Jerry Braun, one of the rioters, took an Uber to go home after the violence on the day. He had an eye-injury caused due to the scuffles during the rioting.

The driver noticed the injury and asked about it and the general mayhem on Capitol Hill.

“Well it started around, right when I got there. I tore down the barricades,” Braun bragged.

The conversation was recorded on the camera the taxi driver had installed inside the vehicle. The driver asked Braun why he tore down the barricades.

“Well, because, so we could get to the Capitol,” Braun replied.

“Well, how’d that work out for ya?” asked the driver

“Well, it looks like, uh, Biden’s gonna be our president,” said Braun. The conversation from the recording was reported by The Guardian.

The recording and tip-off from the Uber driver sent the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on a 15-month investigation.

Braun got off the vehicle at Holiday Inn in Arlington, Virginia. Authorities found that he had checked in on January 5 and checked out after two days. Authorities got his phone number and address from the inn. Braun was from South El Monte, California.

Just getting Braun's whereabouts may not have been fully enough to build a watertight case against him. Guardian reported that to ascertain whether he really was Jerry Braun, FBI compared his images from the Uber taxi to those with California state authorities. It was a match.

Investigators then started to sift through the footage of the Capitol Hill riots. They found Braun scuffling with people, even raising a wooden plank againsy a security official. He also appeared to assault a person who was wearing a helmet with letters 'Press' on it.

Braun was arrested earlier this month on April 12.

A brag about rioting to an Uber driver has led to arrest of a Capitol rioter by FBI in the US. Capitol Hill riots on January 6, 2021 were perpetrated by supporters of US President Donald Trump.

A brag about rioting to an Uber driver has led to arrest of a Capitol rioter by FBI in the US. Capitol Hill riots on January 6, 2021 were perpetrated by supporters of US President Donald Trump. Jerry Braun, one of the rioters, took an Uber to go home after the violence on the day. He had an eye-injury caused due to the scuffles during the rioting. The driver noticed the injury and asked about it and the general mayhem on Capitol Hill. “Well it started around, right when I got there. I tore down the barricades,” Braun bragged. The conversation was recorded on the camera the taxi driver had installed inside the vehicle. The driver asked Braun why he tore down the barricades. “Well, because, so we could get to the Capitol,” Braun replied. “Well, how’d that work out for ya?” asked the driver “Well, it looks like, uh, Biden’s gonna be our president,” said Braun. The conversation from the recording was reported by The Guardian. The recording and tip-off from the Uber driver sent the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on a 15-month investigation. Braun got off the vehicle at Holiday Inn in Arlington, Virginia. Authorities found that he had checked in on January 5 and checked out after two days. Authorities got his phone number and address from the inn. Braun was from South El Monte, California. Just getting Braun's whereabouts may not have been fully enough to build a watertight case against him. Guardian reported that to ascertain whether he really was Jerry Braun, FBI compared his images from the Uber taxi to those with California state authorities. It was a match. Investigators then started to sift through the footage of the Capitol Hill riots. They found Braun scuffling with people, even raising a wooden plank againsy a security official. He also appeared to assault a person who was wearing a helmet with letters 'Press' on it. Braun was arrested earlier this month on April 12.

FBI arrests Capitol Hill rioter after he brags about crime to Uber driver

Uber has relaxed its requirement for drivers and rider in the US to wear masks. Uber has posted on its website that wearing masks will no longer be compulsory 'As of April 19, 2022'. However, Uber has noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends wearing masks "...if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area".

Most major US airlines have already dropped requirement to wear a face-covering or a mask. The relaxation has also been extended to some international flights.

“Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences,” Uber said on its website.

Uber has already removed the mask-wearing mandate in the UK.

USA has faced major brunt of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Even in January this year, there was a spike in number of cases due to Omicron variant. About 1 million Americans have died from Covid infection till now and hundreds continue to die even today.

However, there has been a decline in number of cases lately in many regions of the country.

Uber has updated its back seat policy as well.

"Riders are no longer required to sit in the back seat. However, to give drivers space, we ask that riders only use the front seat if it’s required because of the size of their group." it said on its website.

Uber has relaxed its requirement for drivers and rider in the US to wear masks. Uber has posted on its website that wearing masks will no longer be compulsory 'As of April 19, 2022'.

Uber has relaxed its requirement for drivers and rider in the US to wear masks. Uber has posted on its website that wearing masks will no longer be compulsory 'As of April 19, 2022'. However, Uber has noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends wearing masks "...if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area". Most major US airlines have already dropped requirement to wear a face-covering or a mask. The relaxation has also been extended to some international flights. “Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences,” Uber said on its website. Uber has already removed the mask-wearing mandate in the UK. USA has faced major brunt of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Even in January this year, there was a spike in number of cases due to Omicron variant. About 1 million Americans have died from Covid infection till now and hundreds continue to die even today. However, there has been a decline in number of cases lately in many regions of the country. Uber has updated its back seat policy as well. "Riders are no longer required to sit in the back seat. However, to give drivers space, we ask that riders only use the front seat if it’s required because of the size of their group." it said on its website.

Uber relaxes mask rules for drivers and riders in US

The Washington state Senate on Friday passed a bill granting gig drivers certain benefits and protections while preventing them from being classified as employees — a long-standing priority of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft.

Although the vote appears to pave the way for ultimate passage after a similar measure passed the state House of Representatives last week, the two bills would still have to be reconciled before being sent to the governor for approval. Gov. Jay Inslee has not said whether he intends to sign the legislation.

Mike Faulk, a spokesperson for Inslee, said Friday that the governor’s office usually did not “speculate on bill action,” adding, “Once legislators send it to our office, we’ll evaluate it.”

The Senate legislation — the result of a compromise between the companies and at least one prominent local union, the Teamsters — was approved 40-8.

In a statement, John Scearcy, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 117, said the union was “proud to stand in solidarity with Uber and Lyft drivers in winning their demands for pay raises” and other benefits.

Uber and Lyft have noted in regulatory filings that being required to classify drivers as employees would force changes to their business model and could leave them exposed financially. They have sought similar compromises in states including California and New York, but those efforts collapsed amid resistance from other unions and worker advocates, who argued that gig drivers should not have to settle for second-class status. Many of those advocates criticized the Washington bill as well.

“While the bill provides some benefits to drivers, it would permanently lock the door on drivers accessing their rights as employees,” said Brian Chen of the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group. “That is a misstep with serious ramifications, which is concerning given how fast this bill is moving through the legislature.”

Under the compromise, drivers would receive benefits such as paid sick leave and a minimum pay rate. The bill would also create a process for drivers to appeal so-called deactivations, which prevent them from finding work through the companies’ apps.

While the minimum pay rates apply only to the time that drivers spend with a passenger in the car, supporters of the bill say the rates have been set high enough to compensate drivers fairly for all of their work time after expenses. The rates will be adjusted over time to account for cost of living increases.

As with other contractors, drivers must cover all payroll taxes and cannot unionize under federal law.

The bill is largely silent on unemployment benefits, something that employees are entitled to, but Washington state has frequently found that gig drivers should receive those benefits already. The bill will create a task force to study what the gig companies’ contributions to an unemployment insurance trust fund should be, an issue that has been contentious in other states.

One especially controversial feature of the bill is that it would block local jurisdictions from regulating drivers’ rights. A similar feature helped ignite opposition that killed the prospects for such a bill in New York state last year.

In 2020, Seattle enacted a robust minimum wage law for gig drivers, which was intended to provide drivers with hourly pay of about $30 before expenses and was sharply criticized by gig companies. The statewide bill approved Friday preserved the current rates in Seattle, which will continue to be higher than the rest of the state, but would preempt similar legislation in the future.

Looming in the background of the legislative action in Washington state was the possibility of a ballot measure that could have locked in contractor status with weaker benefits for drivers. After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively classified gig workers as employees, Uber, Lyft and other gig companies spent roughly $200 million on a ballot measure, Proposition 22, that rolled back those protections. The legislation is still being litigated after a state judge deemed it unconstitutional.

Rep. Liz Berry, who introduced the Washington state bill, said the differences between it and Proposition 22 “couldn’t be more stark.”

“My focus has been: What do the workers want? What are the drivers asking for? And we deliver on every single thing they asked for,” Berry said in an interview, adding that in contrast to California’s law, “our bill has real benefits that employees in the state of Washington enjoy.”

Jen Hensley, Lyft’s head of government relations, said in a statement that the bill was “a solution that Washington state’s drivers overwhelmingly support. Not only does it deliver meaningful new benefits, it also expands important protections for them.” An Uber statement echoed those comments.

But some Washington legislators had doubts.

Ahead of the vote on Friday, Sen. Mike Padden, who opposed the bill, worried about the speed of the approval process. “I do have some concerns about the bill itself, but I also have some concerns about not really being able to check it out properly,” he said.

Rep. Debra Entenman, the only Democrat to vote against the bill in Washington’s House of Representatives, said in a statement after its Senate passage that “this bill requires too much from the state, delivers too little for drivers, and increases transportation costs for my constituents who often rely on rideshare companies because of inadequate public transportation options.”

Worker advocates worried that other states would try to replicate the legislation. “I hope Gov. Inslee seeks additional analysis of its potential impact,” said Terri Gerstein, a workers rights lawyer at Harvard Law School’s Labor and Worklife Program. “I would urge other states not to use this bill or cursory public process as a model.”

The Washington state Senate on Friday passed a bill granting gig drivers certain benefits and protections while preventing them from being classified as employees — a long-standing priority of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft.

The Washington state Senate on Friday passed a bill granting gig drivers certain benefits and protections while preventing them from being classified as employees — a long-standing priority of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft. Although the vote appears to pave the way for ultimate passage after a similar measure passed the state House of Representatives last week, the two bills would still have to be reconciled before being sent to the governor for approval. Gov. Jay Inslee has not said whether he intends to sign the legislation. Mike Faulk, a spokesperson for Inslee, said Friday that the governor’s office usually did not “speculate on bill action,” adding, “Once legislators send it to our office, we’ll evaluate it.” The Senate legislation — the result of a compromise between the companies and at least one prominent local union, the Teamsters — was approved 40-8. In a statement, John Scearcy, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 117, said the union was “proud to stand in solidarity with Uber and Lyft drivers in winning their demands for pay raises” and other benefits. Uber and Lyft have noted in regulatory filings that being required to classify drivers as employees would force changes to their business model and could leave them exposed financially. They have sought similar compromises in states including California and New York, but those efforts collapsed amid resistance from other unions and worker advocates, who argued that gig drivers should not have to settle for second-class status. Many of those advocates criticized the Washington bill as well. “While the bill provides some benefits to drivers, it would permanently lock the door on drivers accessing their rights as employees,” said Brian Chen of the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group. “That is a misstep with serious ramifications, which is concerning given how fast this bill is moving through the legislature.” Under the compromise, drivers would receive benefits such as paid sick leave and a minimum pay rate. The bill would also create a process for drivers to appeal so-called deactivations, which prevent them from finding work through the companies’ apps. While the minimum pay rates apply only to the time that drivers spend with a passenger in the car, supporters of the bill say the rates have been set high enough to compensate drivers fairly for all of their work time after expenses. The rates will be adjusted over time to account for cost of living increases. As with other contractors, drivers must cover all payroll taxes and cannot unionize under federal law. The bill is largely silent on unemployment benefits, something that employees are entitled to, but Washington state has frequently found that gig drivers should receive those benefits already. The bill will create a task force to study what the gig companies’ contributions to an unemployment insurance trust fund should be, an issue that has been contentious in other states. One especially controversial feature of the bill is that it would block local jurisdictions from regulating drivers’ rights. A similar feature helped ignite opposition that killed the prospects for such a bill in New York state last year. In 2020, Seattle enacted a robust minimum wage law for gig drivers, which was intended to provide drivers with hourly pay of about $30 before expenses and was sharply criticized by gig companies. The statewide bill approved Friday preserved the current rates in Seattle, which will continue to be higher than the rest of the state, but would preempt similar legislation in the future. Looming in the background of the legislative action in Washington state was the possibility of a ballot measure that could have locked in contractor status with weaker benefits for drivers. After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively classified gig workers as employees, Uber, Lyft and other gig companies spent roughly $200 million on a ballot measure, Proposition 22, that rolled back those protections. The legislation is still being litigated after a state judge deemed it unconstitutional. Rep. Liz Berry, who introduced the Washington state bill, said the differences between it and Proposition 22 “couldn’t be more stark.” “My focus has been: What do the workers want? What are the drivers asking for? And we deliver on every single thing they asked for,” Berry said in an interview, adding that in contrast to California’s law, “our bill has real benefits that employees in the state of Washington enjoy.” Jen Hensley, Lyft’s head of government relations, said in a statement that the bill was “a solution that Washington state’s drivers overwhelmingly support. Not only does it deliver meaningful new benefits, it also expands important protections for them.” An Uber statement echoed those comments. But some Washington legislators had doubts. Ahead of the vote on Friday, Sen. Mike Padden, who opposed the bill, worried about the speed of the approval process. “I do have some concerns about the bill itself, but I also have some concerns about not really being able to check it out properly,” he said. Rep. Debra Entenman, the only Democrat to vote against the bill in Washington’s House of Representatives, said in a statement after its Senate passage that “this bill requires too much from the state, delivers too little for drivers, and increases transportation costs for my constituents who often rely on rideshare companies because of inadequate public transportation options.” Worker advocates worried that other states would try to replicate the legislation. “I hope Gov. Inslee seeks additional analysis of its potential impact,” said Terri Gerstein, a workers rights lawyer at Harvard Law School’s Labor and Worklife Program. “I would urge other states not to use this bill or cursory public process as a model.”

Washington State advances landmark deal on gig drivers’ job status

The CEO of Uber Technologies is looking to sell stakes in non-strategic assets including its holding in Beijing-based Didi Global Inc, which also described the China market as a tough one with little transparency.

Uber likely to sell Didi, China market has little transparency, states CEO

Ride-hailing company Uber has collaborated with Meta to book rides through WhatsApp in India.

The feature will initially be launched in Lucknow, the capital of India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, and then expanded to other locations by next year.

According to Nandini Maheshwari, senior director of business development for Uber, "We want to make it as easy as possible for all Indians to take an Uber trip, and to do that we need to meet them on platforms they are comfortable with."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-in-high-court-defends-it-rule-requiring-whatsapp-to-trace-originator-of-message-423152">Also read |&nbsp;Indian govt in high court defends IT rule requiring WhatsApp to trace originator of message</a>

WhatsApp's chat interface will be used by those looking for Uber ride where they will need to register to proceed further.

They can book a ride through either messaging to Uber's business account number, scanning a barcode, or clicking a link directly to open an Uber WhatsApp chat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-instagram-stop-working-yet-again-twitterati-open-bag-of-memes-419307">Also read |&nbsp;Facebook, Instagram stop working yet again; Twitterati open bag of memes</a>

Abhijit Bose, the head of WhatsApp India said, "The Uber experience on WhatsApp is simple, familiar, and relatable for users and has the potential to accelerate adoption of Uber with a new category of riders in India."

The first of its kind integration could help Uber tap into the more than 500 million user base of Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp in India.

Uber has been operating in the Asian country for the past eight years and is now available in 70 cities. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Ride-hailing company Uber has collaborated with Meta to book rides through WhatsApp in India. The feature will initially be launched in Lucknow, the capital of India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, and then expanded to other locations by next year.

Ride-hailing company Uber has collaborated with Meta to book rides through WhatsApp in India. The feature will initially be launched in Lucknow, the capital of India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, and then expanded to other locations by next year. According to Nandini Maheshwari, senior director of business development for Uber, "We want to make it as easy as possible for all Indians to take an Uber trip, and to do that we need to meet them on platforms they are comfortable with." Also read | Indian govt in high court defends IT rule requiring WhatsApp to trace originator of message WhatsApp's chat interface will be used by those looking for Uber ride where they will need to register to proceed further. They can book a ride through either messaging to Uber's business account number, scanning a barcode, or clicking a link directly to open an Uber WhatsApp chat. Also read | Facebook, Instagram stop working yet again; Twitterati open bag of memes Abhijit Bose, the head of WhatsApp India said, "The Uber experience on WhatsApp is simple, familiar, and relatable for users and has the potential to accelerate adoption of Uber with a new category of riders in India." The first of its kind integration could help Uber tap into the more than 500 million user base of Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp in India. Uber has been operating in the Asian country for the past eight years and is now available in 70 cities. (With inputs from agencies)

Uber collaborates with Meta to book rides through WhatsApp in India

The US Justice Department is suing the very famous Uber Technologies Inc over allegations of overcharging disabled passengers. The department has also asked a federal court to order compliance with anti-discrimination law.

It has been claimed that Uber's "wait time" fees are discriminatory against disabled passengers as they need more than two minutes to get into a car. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in San Francisco and it challenges an April 2016 Uber policy of charging passengers for waiting time.&nbsp;

"People with disabilities deserve equal access to all areas of community life, including the private transportation services provided by companies like Uber," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uber-must-classify-drivers-as-employees-not-contractors-dutch-court-412860">Also read |&nbsp;Uber must classify drivers as employees, not contractors: Dutch court&nbsp;</a>

As a response, Uber has said that it disagreed that its policies were in violation of the ADA. A spokesperson said that the company had been in talks with the DoJ before the "surprising and disappointing" lawsuit.

He further added that the wait time fees were "never intended for riders who are ready at their designated pickup location but need more time to get into the car."

He revealed that Uber has a policy of refunding wait time fees for disabled riders whenever they alert the firm. "After a recent change last week, now any rider who certifies they are disabled will have fees automatically waived," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Justice Department is suing the very famous Uber Technologies Inc over allegations of overcharging disabled passengers. The department has also asked a federal court to order compliance with anti-discrimination law.

The US Justice Department is suing the very famous Uber Technologies Inc over allegations of overcharging disabled passengers. The department has also asked a federal court to order compliance with anti-discrimination law. It has been claimed that Uber's "wait time" fees are discriminatory against disabled passengers as they need more than two minutes to get into a car. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in San Francisco and it challenges an April 2016 Uber policy of charging passengers for waiting time. "People with disabilities deserve equal access to all areas of community life, including the private transportation services provided by companies like Uber," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division in a statement. Also read | Uber must classify drivers as employees, not contractors: Dutch court As a response, Uber has said that it disagreed that its policies were in violation of the ADA. A spokesperson said that the company had been in talks with the DoJ before the "surprising and disappointing" lawsuit. He further added that the wait time fees were "never intended for riders who are ready at their designated pickup location but need more time to get into the car." He revealed that Uber has a policy of refunding wait time fees for disabled riders whenever they alert the firm. "After a recent change last week, now any rider who certifies they are disabled will have fees automatically waived," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Uber sued for overcharging disabled people; 'wait time' fees discriminatory, says US Justice Department

Uber said the suspension was "exceptional and unprecedented" in Europe and that it stood with the 2,000 independent drives who use its app daily and who "fear for their work and are worried for their future."

Uber joins protest of drivers in Brussels as drivers using app risk losing their vehicles

Uber drivers are employees rather than independent contractors and are entitled to greater workers rights, a Dutch court has ruled it. It is the latest court victory for unions fighting for the rights of workers in the gig economy.

World Business Watch: Uber drivers are employees, not contractors, says Dutch court

Uber drivers are employees rather than independent contractors and are entitled to greater workers' rights, a Dutch court ruled on Monday.

It is the latest court victory for unions fighting for the rights of workers in the gig economy after a similar decision in Britain.

The Amsterdam District Court sided with the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions, which had argued that Uber drivers are in fact employees of a taxi company and should be granted the same pay and benefits as other workers in the sector.

Uber said it will appeal against the decision and "has no plans to employ drivers in the Netherlands".

"We are disappointed with this decision because we know that the overwhelming majority of drivers wish to remain independent," Maurits Schönfeld, Uber's general manager for northern Europe, said. "Drivers don’t want to give up their freedom to choose if, when and where to work."

The court found that drivers who transport passengers via the Uber app are covered by the collective labour agreement for taxi transportation.

"The legal relationship between Uber and these drivers meets all the characteristics of an employment contract," the ruling said.

The FNV hailed the decision as a "huge victory for drivers," who will now receive higher pay and benefits.

"Due to the judge's ruling, the Uber drivers are now automatically employed by Uber," said Zakaria Boufangacha, FNV's deputy chairman. "As a result, they will receive more wages and more rights in the event of dismissal or illness, for example."

Uber drivers are in some cases entitled to back pay, the court said.

The judges also ordered Uber to pay a fine of 50,000 euros ($58,940) for failing to implement the terms of the labour agreement for taxi drivers.

In March, Uber said it would improve workers' rights, including the minimum wage, for all of its more than 70,000 British drivers after it lost a Supreme Court case in February.

Uber drivers are employees rather than independent contractors and are entitled to greater workers' rights, a Dutch court ruled on Monday. It is the latest court victory for unions fighting for the rights of workers in the gig economy after a similar decision in Britain.

Uber drivers are employees rather than independent contractors and are entitled to greater workers' rights, a Dutch court ruled on Monday. It is the latest court victory for unions fighting for the rights of workers in the gig economy after a similar decision in Britain. The Amsterdam District Court sided with the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions, which had argued that Uber drivers are in fact employees of a taxi company and should be granted the same pay and benefits as other workers in the sector. Uber said it will appeal against the decision and "has no plans to employ drivers in the Netherlands". "We are disappointed with this decision because we know that the overwhelming majority of drivers wish to remain independent," Maurits Schönfeld, Uber's general manager for northern Europe, said. "Drivers don’t want to give up their freedom to choose if, when and where to work." The court found that drivers who transport passengers via the Uber app are covered by the collective labour agreement for taxi transportation. "The legal relationship between Uber and these drivers meets all the characteristics of an employment contract," the ruling said. The FNV hailed the decision as a "huge victory for drivers," who will now receive higher pay and benefits. "Due to the judge's ruling, the Uber drivers are now automatically employed by Uber," said Zakaria Boufangacha, FNV's deputy chairman. "As a result, they will receive more wages and more rights in the event of dismissal or illness, for example." Uber drivers are in some cases entitled to back pay, the court said. The judges also ordered Uber to pay a fine of 50,000 euros ($58,940) for failing to implement the terms of the labour agreement for taxi drivers. In March, Uber said it would improve workers' rights, including the minimum wage, for all of its more than 70,000 British drivers after it lost a Supreme Court case in February.

Uber must classify drivers as employees, not contractors: Dutch court 

A judge in California has declared unconstitutional a referendum moved by the California voters which exempted ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Lyft from adhering to a state law requiring drivers to be classified as employees to enjoy job protection benefits.

Alameda county superior court Judge Frank Roesch ruled that Proposition 22, a ballot measure approved in November last year, "infringes on the power of the legislature explicitly granted by the state constitution to regulate compensation for workers'&nbsp;injuries."

The voters had approved the measure Uber,&nbsp;Lyft and other services spent nearly $200m in its favour, making it the most expensive ballot measure in state history, reported the Guardian.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/over-70000-uber-drivers-in-uk-now-entitled-to-minimum-wage-other-workers-rights-371005#:~:text=More%20than%2070%2C000%20Uber%20drivers,the%20Supreme%20Court%20last%20months.&amp;text=Last%20year%2C%20Uber%20won%20a%20similar%20compromise%20in%20California.">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Over 70,000 Uber drivers in UK now entitled to minimum wage, other workers' rights&nbsp;</a>

Meanwhile, Uber has expressed displeasure over the order and said it would challenge the judgement.

"This ruling ignores the will of the overwhelming majority of California voters and defies both logic and the law. You don't have to take our word for it: California's attorney general strongly defended Proposition 22's constitutionality in this very case,"&nbsp;the company’s spokesman Noah Edwardsen was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

He said the measure will remain in force pending the appeal.

Proposition 22 shielded the app-based ride-hailing firms from a labour law that required such services to treat drivers as employees and not independent contractors or "gig workers", who don’t enjoy benefits such as paid sick leave or unemployment insurance.

Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the state if voters rejected the measure.

A judge in California has declared unconstitutional a referendum moved by the California voters which exempted ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Lyft from adhering to a state law requiring drivers to be classified as employees to enjoy job protection benefits.

A judge in California has declared unconstitutional a referendum moved by the California voters which exempted ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Lyft from adhering to a state law requiring drivers to be classified as employees to enjoy job protection benefits. Alameda county superior court Judge Frank Roesch ruled that Proposition 22, a ballot measure approved in November last year, "infringes on the power of the legislature explicitly granted by the state constitution to regulate compensation for workers' injuries." The voters had approved the measure Uber, Lyft and other services spent nearly $200m in its favour, making it the most expensive ballot measure in state history, reported the Guardian. Also read | Over 70,000 Uber drivers in UK now entitled to minimum wage, other workers' rights Meanwhile, Uber has expressed displeasure over the order and said it would challenge the judgement. "This ruling ignores the will of the overwhelming majority of California voters and defies both logic and the law. You don't have to take our word for it: California's attorney general strongly defended Proposition 22's constitutionality in this very case," the company’s spokesman Noah Edwardsen was quoted as saying by the Guardian. He said the measure will remain in force pending the appeal. Proposition 22 shielded the app-based ride-hailing firms from a labour law that required such services to treat drivers as employees and not independent contractors or "gig workers", who don’t enjoy benefits such as paid sick leave or unemployment insurance. Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the state if voters rejected the measure.

Setback for Uber, Lyft as California judge declares gig worker initiative unconstitutional

Uber Technologies Inc on Wednesday reported widening losses as it spent more to entice drivers to return to its platform, sending shares of the ride-hail and food delivery company down in after-hours trade.

Uber reports widening losses as it spent more to entice drivers to return to its platform

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 21-year-old girl who mistook his car for her Uber ride.

Samantha Josephson had entered the convict Nathaniel Rowland’s car in March 2019 mistaking it to be the Uber ride she had booked for herself to take her from Columbia's Five Points entertainment district back to her apartment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-make-coronavirus-vaccine-compulsory-for-federal-workers-reports-401159">Biden to make coronavirus vaccine compulsory for federal workers: Reports</a>

Rowland had circled around the block a few times while observing Josephson standing alone waiting for her ride. Once she entered the vehicle, Rowland knowingly turned on the child lock which trapped the girl in the car.

Later, her dead body was found with 120 stab wounds and several cuts and injuries. It was dumped in woodland nearly 65 miles away from the city.

Rowland, however, had argued that he is innocent in this matter but the Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said, "She obviously put up an amazing fight against you and left a sufficient trail for the jury to see what you did", and added that he was not convinced with Rowland’s argument.

Evidence-wise, prosecution experts had been successful in linking Josephson’s blood to the interior of Rowland's car and to the suspected murder weapon (a knife with two blades). Her blood was also found on cleaning supplies that were found in the dustbins behind Rowland’s girlfriend, convict's sock, and bandana.

Video evidence was also shown in which Rowland was captured trying to use the victim’s debit card to sell her mobile phone after committing the crime

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 21-year-old girl who mistook his car for her Uber ride. Samantha Josephson had entered the convict Nathaniel Rowland’s car in March 2019 mistaking it to be the Uber ride she had booked for herself to take her from Columbia's Five Points entertainment district back to her apartment.

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 21-year-old girl who mistook his car for her Uber ride. Samantha Josephson had entered the convict Nathaniel Rowland’s car in March 2019 mistaking it to be the Uber ride she had booked for herself to take her from Columbia's Five Points entertainment district back to her apartment. Also read | Biden to make coronavirus vaccine compulsory for federal workers: Reports Rowland had circled around the block a few times while observing Josephson standing alone waiting for her ride. Once she entered the vehicle, Rowland knowingly turned on the child lock which trapped the girl in the car. Later, her dead body was found with 120 stab wounds and several cuts and injuries. It was dumped in woodland nearly 65 miles away from the city. Rowland, however, had argued that he is innocent in this matter but the Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said, "She obviously put up an amazing fight against you and left a sufficient trail for the jury to see what you did", and added that he was not convinced with Rowland’s argument. Evidence-wise, prosecution experts had been successful in linking Josephson’s blood to the interior of Rowland's car and to the suspected murder weapon (a knife with two blades). Her blood was also found on cleaning supplies that were found in the dustbins behind Rowland’s girlfriend, convict's sock, and bandana. Video evidence was also shown in which Rowland was captured trying to use the victim’s debit card to sell her mobile phone after committing the crime

Man jailed for killing a 21-year girl who mistook his car for Uber

Around the globe flying cars can be a reality by the end of this decade. According to South Korean carmaker brand Hyundai, flying cars can help cut vehicle emissions and reduce congestion on the streets.

According to Hyundai’s chief executive of the European operations, Michael Cole, the car making firm had made some “very significant investments” in urban air mobility, and they “believe it really is part of the future”.

However, according to Cole, there’s still some time before this can become a reality.

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“We think that by the latter part of this decade certainly, urban air mobility will offer great opportunity to free up congestion in cities, to help with emissions, whether that’s intra-city mobility in the air or whether it’s even between cities.”

Talking at a conference of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, an&nbsp;industry&nbsp;group, he said that this technology is a, “part of our future solution of offering innovative, smart mobility solutions.”

In Las Vegas, January last year, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Hyundai had unveiled a flying car concept the firm has developed in partnership with Uber.

Hyundai is also a part of a project involving the UK’s&nbsp;first airport without a runway. The airport that is scheduled to open in Coventry later this year, has been designed for aircraft that are capable of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and could be used by aircraft like air taxis along with Autonomous delivery drones.

Around the globe flying cars can be a reality by the end of this decade. According to South Korean carmaker brand Hyundai, flying cars can help cut vehicle emissions and reduce congestion on the streets.

Around the globe flying cars can be a reality by the end of this decade. According to South Korean carmaker brand Hyundai, flying cars can help cut vehicle emissions and reduce congestion on the streets. According to Hyundai’s chief executive of the European operations, Michael Cole, the car making firm had made some “very significant investments” in urban air mobility, and they “believe it really is part of the future”. However, according to Cole, there’s still some time before this can become a reality. “We think that by the latter part of this decade certainly, urban air mobility will offer great opportunity to free up congestion in cities, to help with emissions, whether that’s intra-city mobility in the air or whether it’s even between cities.” Talking at a conference of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, an industry group, he said that this technology is a, “part of our future solution of offering innovative, smart mobility solutions.” In Las Vegas, January last year, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Hyundai had unveiled a flying car concept the firm has developed in partnership with Uber. Hyundai is also a part of a project involving the UK’s first airport without a runway. The airport that is scheduled to open in Coventry later this year, has been designed for aircraft that are capable of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and could be used by aircraft like air taxis along with Autonomous delivery drones.

Flying cars can be a reality by the end of this decade: Hyundai

Uber Technologies Inc will let employees work half their hours from wherever they want as part of its revamped return-to-office strategy, the transport app company plans to announce on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. 
 
In one of the most flexible policies offered yet by a big US&nbsp;tech company as the COVID-19 pandemic eases, Uber plans to say that those working in offices need to spend at least 50% of their time there. 
 
But unlike many other companies the policy does not mean at least three days per week in the office, the source said. Instead, workers can show up five days one week and zero the next. 
 
The plan is a reversal from April when Uber said that from September 'employees can work from home up to two days a week, but with a clear expectation that they also come into the office three days a week'. 
 
When working remotely, employees can be wherever, including at home, with family or even more exotic destinations. They will be encouraged to try working away from their regular home for four weeks a year, the source said. 
 
The company on Tuesday also is expected to say it will begin allowing more employees to work remotely all the time. 
 
Online news outlet Insider first reported details of the plan on Monday.

Uber Technologies Inc will let employees work half their hours from wherever they want as part of its revamped return-to-office strategy, the transport app company plans to announce on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Uber Technologies Inc will let employees work half their hours from wherever they want as part of its revamped return-to-office strategy, the transport app company plans to announce on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. In one of the most flexible policies offered yet by a big US tech company as the COVID-19 pandemic eases, Uber plans to say that those working in offices need to spend at least 50% of their time there. But unlike many other companies the policy does not mean at least three days per week in the office, the source said. Instead, workers can show up five days one week and zero the next. The plan is a reversal from April when Uber said that from September 'employees can work from home up to two days a week, but with a clear expectation that they also come into the office three days a week'. When working remotely, employees can be wherever, including at home, with family or even more exotic destinations. They will be encouraged to try working away from their regular home for four weeks a year, the source said. The company on Tuesday also is expected to say it will begin allowing more employees to work remotely all the time. Online news outlet Insider first reported details of the plan on Monday.

Uber to let office staff work up to half their time from anywhere: Source

After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively gave gig workers the legal standing of employees, companies like Uber and Lyft spent some $200 million on a ballot initiative exempting their drivers.

To avoid such threats in other states, the companies have pressed for legislation that classifies drivers as contractors, meaning they are not entitled to protections like a minimum wage and unemployment benefits.

The most serious initiative in this vein, in New York state, has stalled while facing opposition from labour groups as the state’s legislative session winds down this week.

But the effort seems certain to be revived, and the negotiations — in which the companies offered to grant workers bargaining rights and certain benefits but not all the protections of employment — have indicated what an eventual deal could look like in New York and beyond.

Gig companies like Uber and Lyft have long resisted classifying workers as employees, stating in regulatory filings that doing so would force them to alter their business model and risk a financial hit. Industry officials have estimated that making drivers employees could raise labour costs 20% to 30%.

As California considered a bill under which gig drivers were likely to be classified as employees in 2019, the companies met repeatedly with a few large unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the Teamsters, to discuss a deal along the lines of what they have proposed in New York. But the talks collapsed because many in the labour movement refused to make significant concessions while holding the legislative upper hand. The bill passed in September of that year.

After the ballot initiative that exempted drivers was approved last fall, however, some in labour became more amenable to a deal. New York, where discussions were already underway, was a natural place to seek one.

Some of the companies had a relationship with labour in the state, chiefly the International Association of Machinists, with which Uber created and funded a driver organization in 2016, known as the Independent Drivers Guild. In some ways the drivers guild foreshadowed the arrangement the companies are seeking today: It provided a way for drivers to address concerns with the company but agreed not to contest drivers’ contractor status.

At the same time, labour had leverage. A number of rulings in New York granted gig drivers conventional unemployment benefits in the state, potentially leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities for the companies. And there were New York City regulations — like a minimum pay standard for drivers amounting to over $17 an hour after expenses — that some gig companies have sought to ease.

A legislative draft, produced by industry officials in consultation with labour groups, deemed gig workers to be “network workers.” That would essentially have made them contractors with certain protections and the right to join a labour organization that would bargain on a sectoral basis, meaning all at once with the major companies. The arrangement would have created more than 150,000 new union members in the state.

The bargaining would have happened separately for drivers and for delivery workers and would have covered a minimum wage, “portable benefits” like retirement contributions, and a process for appealing terminations.

But the details of the proposed unions raised eyebrows. As laid out in the draft, the companies would have signed an agreement with a single union giving it access to workers through corporate email systems. Once the union signed up 10% of the industry’s eligible workers and the state labour commissioner certified the arrangement, the union would have become the exclusive agent of all workers in the industry. No other union would have had a chance to represent them.

Critics complained that the gig companies did not consult widely enough beyond some of the labour groups that stood to benefit — among them the machinists, which appeared likely to be the first to get email access to drivers, and the Transport Workers Union of America, which appeared to be first in line to get email access to delivery workers.

“The companies’ sectoral bargaining bill was drafted without workers’ input,” said Ligia Guallpa of the nonprofit Workers Justice Project, whose group has helped delivery workers build an organization that claims more than 10,000 members. “They don’t get to decide their own representation. It’s prearranged.”

Guallpa, like other labour leaders and worker organizers, said she found out about the proposal only in mid-May, after Bloomberg reported on its existence.

Aziz Bah, organizing director of the Independent Drivers Guild, said in a statement that “the choices about which union or unions to join rests with the workers.”

Critics also complained that funding for the union — potentially more than $20 million a year for the drivers union alone — would have come from the companies through a fee on rides that they collect, making workers feel beholden to the companies. And under the initial proposal, workers would have been prohibited from striking while they were bargaining with the companies, depriving them of a crucial source of leverage.

According to Kate Andrias, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, some of those features were at odds with federal labour law, which typically bars unions that companies effectively select, fund or control. The law does not apply to contractors, however.

The proposal would have also replaced the conventional unemployment benefits that many drivers are currently eligible for with a new system that could have led to lower benefits and that could have been harder for workers to collect in certain situations.

And the proposal would have largely prohibited municipalities from regulating work done through ride-hailing or delivery apps, rolling back the driver minimum pay standard in New York City, though workers could have bargained for a floor as high as that minimum or higher.

The disclosure of the initial draft of the bill in May created a backlash against any proposal featuring weak unions, or unions effectively selected by the companies.

“They’re talking about the right to bargaining that’s a Trojan horse,” said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which helped drivers with ride-hailing services win unemployment benefits in the state. “That union would be complicit in giving them cover as they really seek to dominate the industry.”

Some labour groups involved in the discussions, like the state AFL-CIO, became tepid in their support. John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union, backed away from the proposal, citing concerns that workers would not be allowed to strike and opposition from delivery workers.

An Uber official who was not authorized to speak publicly said the company was open to changes that would make it easier for more than one union to represent workers in the ride-hailing or delivery industries. A subsequent draft eased restrictions on striking during negotiations with the companies.

Uber, Lyft and DoorDash said in statements that they remained interested in working with “stakeholders” on legislation.

But for all the opposition to the proposal, the episode suggested that some sort of deal remains possible in New York and other states where gig companies or industry groups have explored independent contractor legislation, including Illinois, Massachusetts and Connecticut, all with legislatures controlled by Democrats. Some of these states have policies allowing drivers to be deemed employees.

State Sen. Diane Savino, who has been a key participant in the New York legislative efforts, said in an interview on Monday that she had recently reached out to a broader set of groups and that the discussion would continue in the coming weeks.

“The clock may have run out on the legislative session, but it has not run out on the issue,” she said.

Critically, even many labour groups dismissive of the New York proposal have stopped short of insisting on all the rights and protections of employee status.

“Their priorities are to have a living wage, have the right to organize and have more safety protections,” said Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project when asked how important it is to delivery workers to be classified as employees. “No one’s organizing around that issue.”

If the gig companies make more meaningful concessions, such as ensuring a more independent union, then a number of labour groups may be ready to take them up on it, ceding employee status in exchange.

“If large groups of workers see a pathway to improve their current economic situation by entering into initiatives that would allow them to form unions,” said Samuelsen of the Transport Workers Union, “then I’m with the workers.”

After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively gave gig workers the legal standing of employees, companies like Uber and Lyft spent some $200 million on a ballot initiative exempting their drivers.

After California passed a law in 2019 that effectively gave gig workers the legal standing of employees, companies like Uber and Lyft spent some $200 million on a ballot initiative exempting their drivers. To avoid such threats in other states, the companies have pressed for legislation that classifies drivers as contractors, meaning they are not entitled to protections like a minimum wage and unemployment benefits. The most serious initiative in this vein, in New York state, has stalled while facing opposition from labour groups as the state’s legislative session winds down this week. But the effort seems certain to be revived, and the negotiations — in which the companies offered to grant workers bargaining rights and certain benefits but not all the protections of employment — have indicated what an eventual deal could look like in New York and beyond. Gig companies like Uber and Lyft have long resisted classifying workers as employees, stating in regulatory filings that doing so would force them to alter their business model and risk a financial hit. Industry officials have estimated that making drivers employees could raise labour costs 20% to 30%. As California considered a bill under which gig drivers were likely to be classified as employees in 2019, the companies met repeatedly with a few large unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the Teamsters, to discuss a deal along the lines of what they have proposed in New York. But the talks collapsed because many in the labour movement refused to make significant concessions while holding the legislative upper hand. The bill passed in September of that year. After the ballot initiative that exempted drivers was approved last fall, however, some in labour became more amenable to a deal. New York, where discussions were already underway, was a natural place to seek one. Some of the companies had a relationship with labour in the state, chiefly the International Association of Machinists, with which Uber created and funded a driver organization in 2016, known as the Independent Drivers Guild. In some ways the drivers guild foreshadowed the arrangement the companies are seeking today: It provided a way for drivers to address concerns with the company but agreed not to contest drivers’ contractor status. At the same time, labour had leverage. A number of rulings in New York granted gig drivers conventional unemployment benefits in the state, potentially leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities for the companies. And there were New York City regulations — like a minimum pay standard for drivers amounting to over $17 an hour after expenses — that some gig companies have sought to ease. A legislative draft, produced by industry officials in consultation with labour groups, deemed gig workers to be “network workers.” That would essentially have made them contractors with certain protections and the right to join a labour organization that would bargain on a sectoral basis, meaning all at once with the major companies. The arrangement would have created more than 150,000 new union members in the state. The bargaining would have happened separately for drivers and for delivery workers and would have covered a minimum wage, “portable benefits” like retirement contributions, and a process for appealing terminations. But the details of the proposed unions raised eyebrows. As laid out in the draft, the companies would have signed an agreement with a single union giving it access to workers through corporate email systems. Once the union signed up 10% of the industry’s eligible workers and the state labour commissioner certified the arrangement, the union would have become the exclusive agent of all workers in the industry. No other union would have had a chance to represent them. Critics complained that the gig companies did not consult widely enough beyond some of the labour groups that stood to benefit — among them the machinists, which appeared likely to be the first to get email access to drivers, and the Transport Workers Union of America, which appeared to be first in line to get email access to delivery workers. “The companies’ sectoral bargaining bill was drafted without workers’ input,” said Ligia Guallpa of the nonprofit Workers Justice Project, whose group has helped delivery workers build an organization that claims more than 10,000 members. “They don’t get to decide their own representation. It’s prearranged.” Guallpa, like other labour leaders and worker organizers, said she found out about the proposal only in mid-May, after Bloomberg reported on its existence. Aziz Bah, organizing director of the Independent Drivers Guild, said in a statement that “the choices about which union or unions to join rests with the workers.” Critics also complained that funding for the union — potentially more than $20 million a year for the drivers union alone — would have come from the companies through a fee on rides that they collect, making workers feel beholden to the companies. And under the initial proposal, workers would have been prohibited from striking while they were bargaining with the companies, depriving them of a crucial source of leverage. According to Kate Andrias, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, some of those features were at odds with federal labour law, which typically bars unions that companies effectively select, fund or control. The law does not apply to contractors, however. The proposal would have also replaced the conventional unemployment benefits that many drivers are currently eligible for with a new system that could have led to lower benefits and that could have been harder for workers to collect in certain situations. And the proposal would have largely prohibited municipalities from regulating work done through ride-hailing or delivery apps, rolling back the driver minimum pay standard in New York City, though workers could have bargained for a floor as high as that minimum or higher. The disclosure of the initial draft of the bill in May created a backlash against any proposal featuring weak unions, or unions effectively selected by the companies. “They’re talking about the right to bargaining that’s a Trojan horse,” said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which helped drivers with ride-hailing services win unemployment benefits in the state. “That union would be complicit in giving them cover as they really seek to dominate the industry.” Some labour groups involved in the discussions, like the state AFL-CIO, became tepid in their support. John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union, backed away from the proposal, citing concerns that workers would not be allowed to strike and opposition from delivery workers. An Uber official who was not authorized to speak publicly said the company was open to changes that would make it easier for more than one union to represent workers in the ride-hailing or delivery industries. A subsequent draft eased restrictions on striking during negotiations with the companies. Uber, Lyft and DoorDash said in statements that they remained interested in working with “stakeholders” on legislation. But for all the opposition to the proposal, the episode suggested that some sort of deal remains possible in New York and other states where gig companies or industry groups have explored independent contractor legislation, including Illinois, Massachusetts and Connecticut, all with legislatures controlled by Democrats. Some of these states have policies allowing drivers to be deemed employees. State Sen. Diane Savino, who has been a key participant in the New York legislative efforts, said in an interview on Monday that she had recently reached out to a broader set of groups and that the discussion would continue in the coming weeks. “The clock may have run out on the legislative session, but it has not run out on the issue,” she said. Critically, even many labour groups dismissive of the New York proposal have stopped short of insisting on all the rights and protections of employee status. “Their priorities are to have a living wage, have the right to organize and have more safety protections,” said Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project when asked how important it is to delivery workers to be classified as employees. “No one’s organizing around that issue.” If the gig companies make more meaningful concessions, such as ensuring a more independent union, then a number of labour groups may be ready to take them up on it, ceding employee status in exchange. “If large groups of workers see a pathway to improve their current economic situation by entering into initiatives that would allow them to form unions,” said Samuelsen of the Transport Workers Union, “then I’m with the workers.”

Uber and Lyft ramp up legislative efforts to shield business model

Hollywood actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt will next be seen in the role of former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick in ‘Super Pumped’, an anthology drama.

Created by showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien and Beth Schacter, ‘Super Pumped’ will be a project to series at Showtime.&nbsp;

The first season will deal with Uber and Kalanick’s meteoric rise in Silicon Valley, the company’s roller coaster ride and Kalanick’s eventual ouster amid allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic environment at the company.

On getting Joseph Gordon-Levitt on board, Amy Israel, executive vp scripted programming at Showtime said, “Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a remarkably intelligent and charismatic actor, embodying charm with an unpredictable edge. We are beyond excited to see what he will bring to the role of Travis Kalanick, the hyper-brilliant and controversial CEO whose ambition and reckless drive threatened the very enterprise he was determined to build. We are equally thrilled to be partnering on another series with Brian Koppelman, David Levien and Beth Schacter, who always deliver provocative and deeply entertaining shows that drive cultural conversation.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-a-quiet-place-2-to-premiere-in-china-on-may-28-387293" hreflang="en">'A Quiet Place 2' to premiere in China on May 28</a>

Every season of Super Pumped will delve into a story that rocked the business world and changed the wider culture. The first season is based on the book ‘Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber’ by Mike Isaac.

It will be written and executive produced by Koppelman and Levien and Schacter. They will serve as showrunners.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-%E2%80%98boss-baby-2%E2%80%99-to-release-in-theaters-and-ott-on-the-same-day-387247" hreflang="en">‘Boss Baby 2’ to release in theaters and OTT on the same day</a>

Hollywood actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt will next be seen in the role of former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick in ‘Super Pumped’, an anthology drama. Created by showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien and Beth Schacter, ‘Super Pumped’ will be a project to series at Showtime.

Hollywood actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt will next be seen in the role of former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick in ‘Super Pumped’, an anthology drama. Created by showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien and Beth Schacter, ‘Super Pumped’ will be a project to series at Showtime. The first season will deal with Uber and Kalanick’s meteoric rise in Silicon Valley, the company’s roller coaster ride and Kalanick’s eventual ouster amid allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic environment at the company. On getting Joseph Gordon-Levitt on board, Amy Israel, executive vp scripted programming at Showtime said, “Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a remarkably intelligent and charismatic actor, embodying charm with an unpredictable edge. We are beyond excited to see what he will bring to the role of Travis Kalanick, the hyper-brilliant and controversial CEO whose ambition and reckless drive threatened the very enterprise he was determined to build. We are equally thrilled to be partnering on another series with Brian Koppelman, David Levien and Beth Schacter, who always deliver provocative and deeply entertaining shows that drive cultural conversation.” 'A Quiet Place 2' to premiere in China on May 28 Every season of Super Pumped will delve into a story that rocked the business world and changed the wider culture. The first season is based on the book ‘Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber’ by Mike Isaac. It will be written and executive produced by Koppelman and Levien and Schacter. They will serve as showrunners. ‘Boss Baby 2’ to release in theaters and OTT on the same day

Joseph Gordon Levitt to play former Uber CEO in anthology series 'Super Pumped'

As the United States is increasing its pace of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination programmes</a> every day, fast food chain McDonald’s and cab services (Uber and Lyft) have decided to reach out to people who are hesitant about getting vaccinated.

On Tuesday, the US President, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, announced a partnership between the White House and cab services Lyft and Uber. The two companies will be offering free rides to customers headed to a vaccination site to get vaccinated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-pfizer-biontechs-covid-vaccine-for-children-aged-12-15-384195" hreflang="en">US approves Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid vaccine for children aged 12-15</a>

“People will be able to simply select a vaccination site near them, follow simple directions to redeem their ride, and then get a ride to take them to and from a nearby vaccination site free of charge,” the White House said in a statement.

This promotion scheme will begin in the next weeks in the US and will continue until the end of the Fourth of July holiday in the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/following-a-death-brazil-suspends-use-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-for-pregnant-women-384407" hreflang="en">Following a death, Brazil suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine for pregnant women</a>

Not just cab services, the fast food chain McDonald’s has also decided to put their best foot forward and urge locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus. To achieve this, the company will be launching redesigned McCafe cups and delivery box seal stickers. These product teases will read the message “We Can Do This” — a slogan created by the US health department.

Experts believe this partnership between the government and private organisations “will help more people make informed decisions about their health and learn about steps they can take to protect themselves and their communities,” Xavier Becerra, the health secretary, said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nauru-vaccinates-all-its-adults-in-world-record-effort-384421" hreflang="en">Nauru vaccinates all its adults in 'world record' effort</a>

The company will also be unveiling a billboard in New York’s Times Square which will feature vaccine information of this month.

In addition to this, several pharmaceutical companies are also in talks with the Biden administration to chalk out a plan for launching on-site vaccination clinics at community colleges with the aim of inoculating students, staff, and locals of nearby neighbourhoods.

Biden is also scheduled to virtually meet the leaders of Massachusetts, Utah, Ohio, New Mexico, Maine, and Minnesota to discuss “innovative ways governors are working to get the people in their states vaccinated,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

These creative measures are being taken to meet Biden’s target of vaccinating at least 70 per cent of the population with the first dose before July 04.

As the United States is increasing its pace of vaccination programmes every day, fast food chain McDonald’s and cab services (Uber and Lyft) have decided to reach out to people who are hesitant about getting vaccinated.

As the United States is increasing its pace of vaccination programmes every day, fast food chain McDonald’s and cab services (Uber and Lyft) have decided to reach out to people who are hesitant about getting vaccinated. On Tuesday, the US President, Joe Biden, announced a partnership between the White House and cab services Lyft and Uber. The two companies will be offering free rides to customers headed to a vaccination site to get vaccinated. Also read | US approves Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid vaccine for children aged 12-15 “People will be able to simply select a vaccination site near them, follow simple directions to redeem their ride, and then get a ride to take them to and from a nearby vaccination site free of charge,” the White House said in a statement. This promotion scheme will begin in the next weeks in the US and will continue until the end of the Fourth of July holiday in the country. Also read | Following a death, Brazil suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine for pregnant women Not just cab services, the fast food chain McDonald’s has also decided to put their best foot forward and urge locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus. To achieve this, the company will be launching redesigned McCafe cups and delivery box seal stickers. These product teases will read the message “We Can Do This” — a slogan created by the US health department. Experts believe this partnership between the government and private organisations “will help more people make informed decisions about their health and learn about steps they can take to protect themselves and their communities,” Xavier Becerra, the health secretary, said in a statement. Also read | Nauru vaccinates all its adults in 'world record' effort The company will also be unveiling a billboard in New York’s Times Square which will feature vaccine information of this month. In addition to this, several pharmaceutical companies are also in talks with the Biden administration to chalk out a plan for launching on-site vaccination clinics at community colleges with the aim of inoculating students, staff, and locals of nearby neighbourhoods. Biden is also scheduled to virtually meet the leaders of Massachusetts, Utah, Ohio, New Mexico, Maine, and Minnesota to discuss “innovative ways governors are working to get the people in their states vaccinated,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. These creative measures are being taken to meet Biden’s target of vaccinating at least 70 per cent of the population with the first dose before July 04.

We can do this: Uber, Lyft offer rides to Americans for Covid vaccination, McDonald's chips in too

When you’re at the driver seat and distracted, lives of many people are jeopardised.&nbsp;Cab drivers and vehicle owners alike are guilty of scrolling social media, talking on the phone, and attending work meetings while driving.

A lawmaker from Ohio, United States, recently participated in a government meeting while driving. Senator Andrew Brenner could be seen joining the call from his car. A couple of minutes into the meeting, the senator switches to a virtual background. As a result, he is seen sitting at a fake office, with a seatbelt on.

It would have been funny, had it not been so dangerously careless.

This happened on a day when the state of Ohio introduced a “Distracted Driving Bill” which bans writing, sending or reading texts while driving. In addition, it also bans taking photos, livestreaming and using other applications while driving. Looking at videos is also banned. The senator exemplified all that is wrong with distracted drivers.

In the age of GPS navigation, can we really drive without looking at our phones?

From cab drivers to food delivery executives, everyone uses GPS and maps are integral to the service they offer. How will they deliver your parcel if they can't find your address? It's true that while looking at the map, a text or two are often opened, emojis are exchanged, and voice notes are shared. But how do we stop it? Laws have been made, but have they made driving safe?

Last year, India implemented its new Motor Vehicles Act. Under it, a driver is allowed to use his or her phone only for navigation. Talking on the phone while driving can attract fines up to 5,000 rupees and Indian states are allowed to multiply the penalty up to 10 times.

In the UK, the Road Safety Code says that holding a phone while driving is illegal. You can use a phone only when you’re parked and flouting these rules may result in a penalty of up to 2,500 pounds. You can also be taken to court.

A headline from German Autolabs says the following - “Distracted driving is getting worse and legislation isn't working”. Drivers using mobile phones are nearly four times more likely to be involved in a crash. In 2019, over 3,000&nbsp;people died because of distracted driving in the US alone.

Instead of creating awareness about road safety, lawmakers today are leading by example when it comes to risking road safety.

Andrew Brenner, the US Senator, said the following when he was asked about attending a government meeting while driving. &nbsp;“I’ve actually been on other calls, numerous calls, while driving”.

“I had two meeting that were back to back that were in separate location,”&nbsp;he added.

There is absolutely no excuse for driving while attending a meeting from a fake virtual office and being totally unapologetic about it.

Uber’s website claims that distracting driving accounts for 26 per cent of fatalities on the road. The company should share this data with its drivers and create awareness among them. They should also equip employees with navigation system so that they avoid using their phones for map. Replying to texts can wait, phone calls can be made later. Work calls are not about life and death, but distracted driving is.

When you’re at the driver seat and distracted, lives of many people are jeopardised. Cab drivers and vehicle owners alike are guilty of scrolling social media, talking on the phone, and attending work meetings while driving.

When you’re at the driver seat and distracted, lives of many people are jeopardised. Cab drivers and vehicle owners alike are guilty of scrolling social media, talking on the phone, and attending work meetings while driving. A lawmaker from Ohio, United States, recently participated in a government meeting while driving. Senator Andrew Brenner could be seen joining the call from his car. A couple of minutes into the meeting, the senator switches to a virtual background. As a result, he is seen sitting at a fake office, with a seatbelt on. It would have been funny, had it not been so dangerously careless. This happened on a day when the state of Ohio introduced a “Distracted Driving Bill” which bans writing, sending or reading texts while driving. In addition, it also bans taking photos, livestreaming and using other applications while driving. Looking at videos is also banned. The senator exemplified all that is wrong with distracted drivers. In the age of GPS navigation, can we really drive without looking at our phones? From cab drivers to food delivery executives, everyone uses GPS and maps are integral to the service they offer. How will they deliver your parcel if they can't find your address? It's true that while looking at the map, a text or two are often opened, emojis are exchanged, and voice notes are shared. But how do we stop it? Laws have been made, but have they made driving safe? Last year, India implemented its new Motor Vehicles Act. Under it, a driver is allowed to use his or her phone only for navigation. Talking on the phone while driving can attract fines up to 5,000 rupees and Indian states are allowed to multiply the penalty up to 10 times. In the UK, the Road Safety Code says that holding a phone while driving is illegal. You can use a phone only when you’re parked and flouting these rules may result in a penalty of up to 2,500 pounds. You can also be taken to court. A headline from German Autolabs says the following - “Distracted driving is getting worse and legislation isn't working”. Drivers using mobile phones are nearly four times more likely to be involved in a crash. In 2019, over 3,000 people died because of distracted driving in the US alone. Instead of creating awareness about road safety, lawmakers today are leading by example when it comes to risking road safety. Andrew Brenner, the US Senator, said the following when he was asked about attending a government meeting while driving. “I’ve actually been on other calls, numerous calls, while driving”. “I had two meeting that were back to back that were in separate location,” he added. There is absolutely no excuse for driving while attending a meeting from a fake virtual office and being totally unapologetic about it. Uber’s website claims that distracting driving accounts for 26 per cent of fatalities on the road. The company should share this data with its drivers and create awareness among them. They should also equip employees with navigation system so that they avoid using their phones for map. Replying to texts can wait, phone calls can be made later. Work calls are not about life and death, but distracted driving is.

Ohio senator recently attended a Zoom call while driving. Here's what it reveals about 'distracted driving' awareness

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