European Uber drivers want access to their data, and they are now in the process of taking legal action to achieve their goal. Tech startups have shown to be quite profitable as they take advantage of new technologies by creating new markets based on familiar industries, including travel and hospitality. However, concern has grown in recent times over how data is being used.
In 2011, Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick founded the ridesharing company, although the current CEO is Dara Khosrowshahi. Recently, Khosrowshahi has been pushing for change and especially during the coronavirus pandemic by focusing on health and hygiene. During the same period, the vocal American political climate has also resulted in Uber making other changes in a bid to show solidarity with the BLM movement.
At the international level, the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) explains how UK Uber drivers have launched legal action against Uber to access data and get an explanation on how the company’s algorithm works. The drivers argue that Uber has violated its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the company has not provided enough information on automated decisions and profiling. The drivers and union are also teaming up with the International Alliance of App-based Transport Workers (IAATW) and Worker info Exchange to launch complaints against the tech startup.
A Deeper Look At The Data Lawsuit
In the Netherlands, Uber BV, the company’s corporate body, holds driver data and due to the geographic location, the drivers are asking for the Amsterdam court to make Uber comply with GDPR and fine the company €10,000 every day it continues to allegedly violate the law. Furthermore, the group is arguing that drivers have previously requested data from Uber, but the ridesharing startup company has not delivered on those requests. The drivers are also requesting explanations and clarifications about the data and the use of Uber's algorithm.
Uber does not have the best reputation in Europe right now considering the company is trying to overturn a ruling that classified Uber drivers as workers. This is significant because it guarantees drivers the right to earn a minimum wage, vacation time, freedom from discrimination, and whistleblower protections. Conversely, Uber insists that drivers are self-employed, even though self-employed are not subject to forms of management. However, the union is challenging this by pointing out that Uber monitors drivers for late or missed arrivals, cancellations on riders, as well as their attitude and behavior.
If the lawsuit succeeds, drivers in these European countries, and the rest of the world, will likely learn more about how the algorithm works. For example, drivers in the United States might find out how Uber's algorithm impacts them, and it could potentially help them earn higher wages in the future. Uber may fight aggressively to keep that information hidden and maintain control, especially as from its point of view, it invests in drivers by making it easy to become a driver and even offers cars to increase the number of workers chauffeuring people around cities. With this in mind, Uber likely wants to keep costs down to increase profits, and revealing and/or explaining how its algorithm works could financially hurt the ridesharing company.
Source: ADCU