Uber bans drivers from using Greyball technology that helps them to dodge investigators March 9, 2017 Uber has banned the use its controversial “Greyball" technology, which helps the drivers dodge undercover investigators. The counter-intelligence programme allows the tech giant to identify undercover officials trying to expose Uber’s operations in cities where it has previously banned. Read more: The worst or best job in tech? Uber's hiring a COO Once identified, the [...]
Google parent Alphabet’s venture arm GV backs London fintech startup Currencycloud in £20m funding round March 9, 2017 Top London fintech startup Currencycloud has attracted Google as an investor in a fresh £20m funding round in a stamp of approval for the sector after Brexit. GV, Alphabet's high-profile venture arm formerly known as Google Ventures, which has backed the likes of Uber and Slack in the past, joins existing investors for the series D [...]
The worst or best job in tech? Uber boss Travis Kalanick’s hiring a COO after a terrible month of non-stop troubles March 8, 2017 It could be the best job in tech – working for one of the biggest and most disruptive startups ever, a dream job for any Silicon Valley (and beyond) executive – or the worst. Uber’s recent troubles have spurred under fire chief executive Travis Kalanick to hire a chief operating officer, a number two to [...]
London’s black cab industry needs a regulatory overhaul to compete with the likes of Uber, say academics March 7, 2017 It's no secret that Uber's rise and its impact on the capital's transport network hasn't gone down well with many black cab drivers. Now a study by the University of the West of England and the University of Greenwich has suggested the capital's black cab industry needs a complete regulatory overhaul to compete with the ride-hailing app and other [...]
Now you can use Apple Pay in Ireland – just swipe your iPhone March 7, 2017 iPhone owners in Ireland rejoice – you can now get on board with Apple Pay and just swipe your phone (or Apple Watch) to make a purchase. The tech giant has launched the payment service in its sixth market in Europe, supporting Irish banking customers with Ulster Bank and KBC as well as Boon, an app [...]
Former Labour home secretary brands proposed new solicitors’ exam a potential matter of “national concern” March 6, 2017 A former Labour home secretary said today proposed changes to qualifying exams for solicitors should be treated as a matter of national concern. Both Lord Blunkett and Lord Low of Dalston, the latter of whom brought the question forward for debate in the House of Lords, argued the Solicitors Qualifying Exam put forward by the Solicitors [...]
Uber drivers will transport non-emergency patients around in tie-up with social care start-up Cera March 6, 2017 Uber drivers will be trained to transport non-emergency patients around, according to social care start-up Cera, which has partnered with the ride-hailing app. The partnership will also enable Cera's London-based carers to use Uber to get to the people they are caring for as quickly as possible. It forms part of an aim to "bring greater independence and [...]
Uber used a secret technology called Greyball to hide from regulators and avoid being shut down March 4, 2017 The blows just keep coming for Uber. It's now been revealed that for years the ride-hailing app has deceived regulators in areas where its services were resisted or banned by authorities by using a secret technology. Greyball, a programme that uses data from the Uber app and other technologies, was created to protect the firm from "violations [...]
Logan is the bloody and bold Wolverine film fans have been waiting for, and a perfect end to the series March 3, 2017 While not every outing was a gem, Hugh Jackman’s seventeen years as Wolverine have made him a superhero movie icon. Taller and prettier than the comic book character, he nonetheless won over the nerds during his six-film run (plus two cameos). The missing ingredient (“X factor”, if you will), however, has always been edge; his [...]
Taxi for Uber: High Court rules in favour of TfL saying private hire drivers will have to pass a written English exam March 3, 2017 Uber has lost a key part of its High Court case against Transport for London (TfL), after a High Court ruled private hire drivers will be forced to pass a written English exam. The firm did though, win other parts of its case, so it won't have to provide a telephone call centre for passengers open 24 hours [...]