If you live in a city where Uber operates, there’s a good chance you’ll be familiar with the transportation service, and indeed you may have even used it.
There have also been some horror stories in the past, though this isn’t necessarily out of sync with any other transport company.
We’ve heard about the guy in the United Kingdom who was charged more than £100 for what should have been a £15 trip, though he was refunded, according to Uber.
More worrying, however, is the fact that the app knows when your battery is running low and reportedly uses that to its advantage.
And the latest Uber-related development has people even more concerned, as it has emerged that it now tracks your location even when you’re not travelling – specifically for up to five minutes after a journey has ended.
We now collect the location data from the time of request through 5 min after it ends. This improves the experience +… 1/2
— Uber Support (@Uber_Support) December 5, 2016
…enhances safety. 2/2
— Uber Support (@Uber_Support) December 5, 2016
According to the Daily Telegraph, the new feature is designed to stop drivers overcharging passengers by falsifying the time that a journey ends.
And, while some apps will allow you to have location services switched on only when you’re actually using the app, this is not currently an option with Uber.
More than a few people have hit out at the feature, with plenty of complaints describing it as ‘creepy’.
BEWARE; New @Uber update gives app access to your location for full 5 minutes after you get out. Either allow it, or don't ride! #UberCreepy
— Kevin Frankish (@KevinFrankish) December 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/LS2X/status/805790633222897665
Beware of THIS. #UberCreepy https://t.co/aa03blcSmh
— Vanessa Brown (@VanessaBrownTV) December 5, 2016
Your new update is creepy, @Uber… You do not need to be tracking us after you have dropped us off….
— Stu (@Stulord1) December 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/nishanttotla/status/804755074081660929
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