FBI probing if Uber used software to interfere with rivals: Wall Street Journal
- By Reuters -
- Sep 08, 2017
SAN FRANCISCO: The Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing to see if Uber had used software to illegally interfere with its competitors, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
The investigation is focusing on Uber’s program that could track drivers working for rival service Lyft Inc, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with the investigation.
The investigation is being led by the FBI’s New York office and the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office, the Journal said.
Uber faces criminal probe over software used to evade authorities
Earlier, the US Department of Justice began a criminal investigation into Uber’s use of a software tool that helped its drivers evade local transportation regulators, two sources familiar with the situation said.Uber has acknowledged the software, known as “Greyball,” helped it identify and circumvent government officials who were trying to clamp down on Uber in areas where its service had not yet been approved, such as Portland, Oregon.
The company prohibited the use of Greyball for this purpose shortly after the New York Times revealed its existence in March, saying the program was created to check ride requests to prevent fraud and safeguard drivers. The Times report triggered a barrage of negative publicity for the company.
The criminal probe could become a significant problem facing the company that is already struggling with an array of recent business and legal issues.
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An Uber spokesman and the Justice Department declined to comment. Uber lawyers said in letters to Portland authorities, which Portland made public in a report last week, that the Greyball technology was used ”exceedingly sparingly” in that city, before the service was approved there in 2015.