Uber Deal Giving Drivers $1 Each Fails to Win Over Judge

Uber Technologies Inc. failed to persuade a judge to approve a settlement offering 1.6 million California drivers an average of $1.08 each to dispense with alleged labor-code violations that their lawyer earlier claimed might have been worth billions of dollars. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maren Nelson issued a tentative ruling rejecting a deal aimed at resolving one of the dozen-plus U.S. lawsuits challenging the company’s contractor-based business model.

Uber’s – Greyball’ Draws Ire for Blocking Government Stings

An Uber Technologies Inc. program used to counteract government officials attempting to conduct “sting” operations is drawing scrutiny amid a flurry of scandals plaguing the ride-hailing company. Uber said the effort is meant to enforce violations of its terms of service agreement that customers accept when they sign up to use the app.

Uber Loses Court Bid to Block English Test for Drivers

Uber Technologies Inc. lost a ruling over London transport rules that require language tests for drivers, which could keep 40,000 people from joining the industry over the next three years. Judge John Mitting ruled in favor of Transport for London Friday, saying that it is reasonable for “drivers to demonstrate a level of competence in written and spoken English.”

UPDATE 1-Uber asks exec to resign for not disclosing sexual harassment allegation

Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] has asked a senior executive to leave the company for failing to disclose a sexual harassment allegation stemming from his tenure at Alphabet Inc’s Google, an Uber spokeswoman said on Monday. Earlier this month, a female former engineer at Uber said in a widely read blog post that managers and human resources officers at the company had not punished her manager after she reported his unwanted sexual advances, and even threatened her with a poor performance review.

Baidu Needs to Speed Up the Future After That Uber Boost: Gadfly

If it weren’t for the CEO of Uber Technologies Inc. being pragmatic about his China business and selling to Didi Chuxing last year, Baidu wouldn’t have been able to swap its shares in Uber China for those of the nation’s dominant ride-hailing provider. That three-way trade and other income reaped 1.796 billion yuan for the search-engine giant in the fourth quarter and was the primary reason for Baidu beating earnings estimates.

Uber Criticized by Venture Backers Over Harassment Claims

A pair of venture capital investors in Uber Technologies Inc. criticized the company for tapping insiders to conduct an investigation into sexual harassment and discrimination claims by a former employee. Mitch and Freada Kapor, spouses and investing partners at Kapor Capital, said they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to convince Uber behind the scenes to prioritize diversity issues.

Uber Criticized by Venture Backers Over Harassment Claims

A pair of venture capital investors in Uber Technologies Inc. criticized the company for tapping insiders to conduct an investigation into sexual harassment and discrimination claims by a former employee. Mitch and Freada Kapor, spouses and investing partners at Kapor Capital, said they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to convince Uber behind the scenes to prioritize diversity issues.

Uber Taps Eric Holder to Investigate Discrimination Claims

Uber Technologies Inc. appointed former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to lead an independent review into claims of sexual harassment by a former software engineer. Arianna Huffington, head of human resources Liane Hornsey and Angela Padilla, the company’s associate general counsel, will also participate in the investigation, Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick wrote in a memo to employees on Monday.

Uber Investigating Sexual Discrimination Claims by Ex-Engineer

Uber Technologies Inc. is looking into allegations from a former engineer of sexual harassment, a new accusation that’s likely to draw renewed attention to the lack of women in Silicon Valley’s technical ranks. Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick said the the ride-hailing company will conduct an internal investigation in response to a blog post on Sunday by Susan Fowler.

Uber Investigating Sexual Discrimination Claims by Ex-Engineer

Uber Technologies Inc. is looking into allegations from a former engineer of sexual harassment, a new accusation that’s likely to draw renewed attention to the lack of women in Silicon Valley’s technical ranks. Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick said the the ride-hailing company will conduct an internal investigation in response to a blog post on Sunday by Susan Fowler.

Uber CEO Leaves Trump’s Advisory Council Amid Controversy

Uber Technologies Inc. Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick is stepping down from President Donald Trump’s business advisory council after criticism from customers and drivers. Kalanick’s participation on the council, along with more than a dozen other U.S. executives, prompted blow-back on social media after Trump’s controversial executive order on immigration.

Uber CEO quits Trump’s business advisory group: sources

Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick has quit President Donald Trump’s business advisory group, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Kalanick’s resignation comes after days of criticism about the executive’s decision to work with the president.

Uber Rival Taps Investors With Proof Rides Can Rake in Profits

To convince investors to finance a pan-European war against Uber Technologies Inc., a French ride-hailing app 50 times smaller has a one-word pitch: profit. Chauffeur-Prive is near closing a 50-million-euro fundraising round to expand out of Paris into the rest of Europe, with the promise it can extend a five-year streak of growth while turning a profit, as bigger rivals lose money.

Uber Wants Court Stamp on Arbitration Win as Message to Drivers

Uber Technologies Inc. is asking a California judge to confirm what it says is the first ruling by an arbitrator denying a driver’s bid to be treated as and an employee. The company is seeking a court stamp of approval on the decision rejecting the claim that the driver qualified as an employee rather than an independent contractor under California law.

Uber to Pay $20 Million to Settle FTC Suit Over Driver Pay

Uber Technologies Inc. said it agreed to pay $20 million to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over driver compensation claims and its auto leasing program. The FTC sued the San Francisco-based ride-hailing startup Thursday, saying Uber made false, misleading or unsubstantiated claims about how much drivers could earn on the service.

Obama Alum David Plouffe Joins Zuckerberg’s Philanthropic Group

David Plouffe, President Barack Obama’s former campaign manager, will lead policy and advocacy for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the philanthropic organization created by Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. Plouffe, who has been a full-time adviser for Uber Technologies Inc., will step away from his day-to-day duties, but he’ll remain a non-voting Uber board member, the ride-hailing company said.

Uber Ships Self-Driving Cars to Arizona After California Ban

A few days of regulatory tussles were enough for Uber Technologies Inc. to pull its fleet of self-driving cars from the streets of San Francisco and send them instead to friendlier territory in Arizona. The California Department of Motor Vehicles banned Uber’s self-driving cars from San Francisco on Wednesday, just days after they first deployed.

Tesla Gets a Jump on Google, Uber, Ford in Race to Autonomous

There was, in hindsight, a clear element of risk to Tesla Motors Inc.’s decision to install Autopilot hardware in every car coming off the production line since October 2014. It paid a price, with federal regulators probing the deadly crash of a Model S while in driver-assist mode and critics slamming Tesla for rolling the technology out too soon.

Uber Mideast Rival Valued at $1 Billion After Funding Round

Dubai-based ride-hailing app Careem Networks FZ raised $350 million from investors including Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Inc and Saudi Telecom Co., valuing it at about $1 billion. Government controlled STC, as the company is known, will invest $100 million for a 10 percent stake in Careem as part of a $500 million fundraising round, it said Sunday.

Uber Mideast Rival Valued at $1 Billion After Fundraising Round

Dubai-based ride-hailing app Careem Networks FZ raised $350 million from investors including Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Inc and Saudi Telecom Co., valuing it at about $1 billion. Government controlled STC, as the company is known, will invest $100 million for a 10 percent stake in Careem as part of a $500 million fundraising round, it said Sunday.

California AG Threatens Action Against Uber’s Self-Driving Cars

California Attorney General Kamala Harris has told Uber Technologies Inc. to pull its self-driving cars from San Francisco’s streets or it will seek a court order forcing it do so, saying the ride-hailing company needs a permit under autonomous vehicle regulations. If Uber doesn’t comply with the state’s rules, “as have 20 other companies,” the attorney general’s office will ask a judge to require the self-driving cars be taken off the roads, the attorney general’s office wrote in a letter Friday to Uber.