Uber | Common News Update

Mar162021 by adminNo Comments

Uber to give 70,000 UK drivers worker benefits after court ruling

Business

Uber is to treat its 70,000 drivers in the UK as workers, giving them a number of basic employment protections.The ride-hailing app lost a Supreme Court case last month, with a judge ruling that drivers should be classed as workers, not as independent third-party contractors. This means they have access to holiday pay and a pension scheme, as well as earning at least the minimum wage starting from Wednesday.Minimum wage is currently £8.72 per hour for those aged 25 and over, although it will increase to £8.91 per hour for everyone aged 23 and over from 1 April.The holiday pay will be paid fortnightly and based on 12.07% of the worker's earnings, while the automatic enrolment into a pension plan will include employer contributions. ...

Mar152021 by adminNo Comments

Woman in Uber driver attack to be returned to San Francisco

Technology

A woman arrested in Las Vegas several days after an attack on an Uber driver that was widely viewed on social media agreed Monday to be transferred in custody to San Francisco to face criminal chargesBy KEN RITTER Associated PressMarch 15, 2021, 7:39 PM• 3 min readLAS VEGAS -- A woman arrested in Las Vegas several days after an attack on an Uber driver in San Francisco that was widely viewed on social media agreed Monday to be transferred in custody to California to face criminal charges.Malaysia King’s court appearance in Las Vegas came hours after police in San Francisco announced that Arna Kimiai, 24, a woman seen with King in the Uber driver confrontation, turned herself in to face robbery, assault and battery, conspiracy and other charges.Kimiai’s attorney, Seth Morris, said Kimiai po...

Feb192021 by adminNo Comments

Uber loses Supreme Court battle on drivers’ rights in gig economy test

Technology

Uber has lost its battle in the Supreme Court over drivers' rights - a decision that could have far-reaching implications for millions of people in the gig economy.Following a lengthy legal fight, the UK's highest court ruled against the taxi app firm and concluded drivers should be classed as workers, not independent third-party contractors, which means they are entitled to basic employment protections, including minimum wage and holiday pay. The victory paves the way for drivers to claim compensation running into thousands of pounds.Yaseen Aslam, co-lead claimant and App Drivers & Couriers Union president said: "I am overjoyed and greatly relieved by this decision which will bring relief to so many workers in the gig economy who so desperately need it."Co-lead claimant James Farrar, ...

Sep282020 by adminNo Comments

Uber secures right to continue operating in London

Business

Uber has secured its right to continue operating in London after a judge upheld its appeal against Transport for London (TfL).The ride-hailing giant will be granted a new licence to work in the capital, nearly a year after TfL rejected its application over safety concerns.It ends uncertainty for the 45,000 drivers who use the taxi app in London.Westminster Magistrates' Court said Uber was now a "fit and proper" operator "despite historical failings".One of the main concerns raised by TfL was a flaw in Uber's system that allowed unauthorised people to upload their photographs to legitimate drivers' accounts, which then allowed them to pick up passengers.Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that 24 drivers shared their accounts with 20 others which led to 1...

Aug212020 by adminNo Comments

Uber ex-security boss accused of covering up hack attack

Technology

Uber's former chief security officer Joseph Sullivan has been charged with obstruction of justice in the US.The 52-year-old is accused of trying to cover up a data breach in 2016 that exposed the details of 57 million Uber drivers and passengers.The company has previously admitted to paying a group of hackers a $ 100,000 (£75,000) ransom to delete the data they had stolen.Mr Sullivan was fired in 2017 when the data breach was revealed.The charges filed by the US Department of Justice said Mr Sullivan had taken "deliberate steps" to stop the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from finding out about the hack.He is accused of approving the $ 100,000 payment to the hackers, which was made in bitcoin.The payment was disguised as a "bug bounty" reward, used to pay ...