Uber's "safety driver" during deadly self-driving car crash charged with negligent homicide

Mixed Feelings

Human "safety driver" Rafaela Vasquez was charged with one count of negligent homicide following a 2018 deadly car crash involving an Uber self-driving car.

Uber’s “Safety Driver” During Deadly Self-Driving Car Crash Charged With Negligent Homicide

The driver is facing anywhere between four to eight years in jail.

It would hypothetically be a major win for contractors who are managed by algorithms.

Uber drivers are suing to learn how the company's algorithm works

Testing GDPR

Uber drivers in the U.K. are suing the company for access to access to its logs on their performance, as well as info on how it's used.

Uber Drivers Are Suing to Learn How the Company’s Algorithm Works

They say Uber is violating their digital privacy.

"People want to get out again safely, where they want to get out again, they want to socialize again and kind of get as much as they can their prior lives back."

Uber says rides during "party hours" are keeping it afloat

Sneaking Out

According to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, the company is seeing its business return as passengers leave their homes during "party hours."

Uber Says Rides During “Party Hours” Are Keeping it Afloat

Uber is doing better — because more people are ignoring social distancing.

"While we know Airbnb’s business will fully recover, the changes it will undergo are not temporary or short-lived."

The coronavirus is killing the gig economy

End of an Era

Recent earning reports from companies like Lyft, Uber, and Airbnb show that the coronavirus pandemic is having a devastating effect on the sharing economy.

The Coronavirus Is Killing the Gig Economy

Will the ridesharing industry ever recover?

"This was my main source of income. I really have no other options."

Uber riders are accusing drivers of drunk driving for free trips

Lifehack

According to Uber and Lyft drivers who had their accounts deactivated over drunk driving, passengers filed false accusations to score a refund.

Uber Riders Are Accusing Drivers of Drunk Driving for Free Trips

Drivers can find themselves without an income after reports come in.

But like other gig economy workers, Uber drivers may not be able to afford days off.

Uber tells drivers to stay home if they have the coronavirus

Read The Room

Uber sent out a memo to drivers urging them, among other things, to stay home if they feel sick. But because drivers aren't employees, it's not realistic.

Uber Tells Drivers to Stay Home If They Have the Coronavirus

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-sent-drivers-coronavirus-guidance-you-feel-sick-stay-home-2020-2">Uber sent drivers guidance about coronavirus that some say ignores the realities of the gig economy</a> [Business Insider]

More on Uber: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/uber-bathrooms-drivers-employees">Uber Admits It Didn&#8217;t Let Drivers Use Employee Bathrooms</a>

Developments

The company doesn't provide sick days or even consider drivers employees.

Uber gets thousands of sexual assault complaints per year

This Sucks!

Over the last two years, almost 6,000 Uber passengers reported sexual assault. While the company has taken steps to stop it, it also downplays the problem.

Uber Gets Thousands of Sexual Assault Complaints per Year

The ride-sharing company has a miserable year in review.

At least one office had separate bathrooms for drivers and Uber employees.

Uber admits it didn’t let drivers use employee bathrooms

Really, Uber?

An Uber office in Rhode Island had separate bathrooms for the company's drivers and its employees, a move Uber says it "regrets."

Uber Admits It Didn’t Let Drivers Use Employee Bathrooms

"This was a mistake and we regret it."

The city's transportation bureau says over 14,000 passengers were put at risk by unauthorized drivers.

Uber just got kicked out of London

Double Tap

Once again, London is trying to get rid of Uber over passenger safety concerns. And once again, Uber is confident that it's not going anywhere,

Uber Just Got Kicked Out of London

City officials blame a "pattern of failures" by Uber.

But is the move to increase safety or cover Uber's own ass?

Uber is going to start recording audio during rides

Listening In

Uber is trialing a new feature giving drivers and passengers the option of recording audio of their rides in a purported attempt to increase safety.

/ uber