Singapore to start regulating taxi apps from mid-2015: Introduces fee limits, license requirements November 21, 2014 Singapore has said it will start regulating taxi apps such as Uber from next year, by capping fees and ensuring drivers are licensed. Its Land Transport Authority (LTA) unveiled a regulatory framework designed to "safeguard commuter safety and interests". They will ensure the fees charged by taxi apps are no higher than those of regular [...]
Dear Uber drivers: As its Spotify tie-up launches, you’re going to hear way more Kate Bush, One Direction – and Kirsty MacColl November 21, 2014 The tie-up between Spotify and Uber launches today, meaning anyone who gets in an Uber cab can listen to their own tunes. The system works using a feature inside Uber's app which connects to the driver's phone. As long as it is plugged into the sound system, it allows passengers to determine what plays over [...]
Uber hires Hogan Lovells to probe data policies November 21, 2014 Uber has hired Hogan Lovells to review its data policies, amid controversy surrounding its handling of users' private data. It has hired a team of Hogan Lovells lawyers who will review and make recommendations on its data policy. The team will be led by Harriet Pearson, a partner at the law firm's Washington office, who [...]
The Marvel of success without a plan – Editor’s Letter November 20, 2014 WHAM! Pow! There’s been a comic book intensity to the battle of business this week, with transport app Uber drawn as the villain after unscripted swings at journalists it felt had the disruptive tech firm in their sights. But right now I’m seeing everything in four-colour terms, having just finished Sean Howe’s terrific history of [...]
Wonga’s fallen soldiers: Errol Damelin, Tim Weller and Niall Wass – its lost chief executives November 20, 2014 To lose one chief executive may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose two looks like carelessness. Unfortunately, Wonga has just lost its third: today it emerged Tim Weller, who had been the company's interim chief exec since May, stepped down in October, according to filings at Companies House. Which just seems sloppy… So who are the [...]
Ashton Kutcher weighs into Uber spying debacle November 20, 2014 Actor-turned-Demi Moore toyboy-turned-tech investor, Ashton Kutcher gave his tuppence worth to the Uber spying story yesterday. The Dude, Where’s My Car star tweeted, “What is so wrong about digging up dirt on shady journalist?” The reaction from the twittersphere was swift, and it was hard. “Dude Where’s My Orwell,” was one particularly good retort. What [...]
Taxi app wars: Uber vs Hailo vs Maaxi vs Lyft – Emil Michael gaff is latest hurdle in startup battle November 19, 2014 Fast-growing “ridesharing” app firm Uber hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons again this week as senior executive Emil Michael was reported suggesting the company hire researchers to dig up dirt on its media critics. The blunder is the latest in a long line of controversies that have plagued the startup over [...]
Uber investor Ashton Kutcher: ‘What is so wrong about digging up dirt on journalists?” November 19, 2014 Actor and sometime tech VC Ashton Kutcher – who also happens to have a stake in Uber – has come out strongly in support of the taxi app in a rant on Twitter. Kutcher, who also has stakes in Spotify, Airbnb and Foursquare, according to Crunchbase, came out in apparent support of executive Emil Michael, [...]
Uber New York executive allegedly “tracked BuzzFeed journalist using God View tool” November 19, 2014 Troubles are mounting for taxi app company Uber after it confirmed it will investigate one its New York executives for allegedly tracking a Buzzfeed journalist without her permission. If true, the tracking would be in violation of Uber's own privacy policy, released on Tuesday. Earlier this month, BuzzFeed reporter Johana Bhuiyan travelled to interview Uber's [...]
Uber boss Travis Kalanick sorry over inhumane dirt-digging row November 18, 2014 The chief executive of Uber, Travis Kalanick, issued a grovelling apology on Twitter yesterday after a senior member of his team said the company should dig up dirt on hostile journalists to retaliate for bad publicity. Kalanick branded the comments made by senior vice president for business at the ride-sharing company Emil Michael “terrible”, adding: [...]