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Uber to encrypt ‘God View,’ pay $20,000, NY Attorney General says

January 07, 2016

Uber, one of the largest human cloud firms, will take steps to encrypt and enhance data security practices over geo-location information about riders and take other security steps, the New York State Attorney General announced Wednesday. In addition, Uber will pay $20,000 related to a data breach that took place in 2014 where driver names and license number were accessed by an unauthorized third party, according to the AG’s office.

The AG’s office started an investigation in November 2014 over Uber’s collection of information amid reports that Uber executives had access to a real-time, aerial view of riders’ locations, known as “God View.” The AG’s office said there were reports of misuse of personal data. For example, after arriving at Uber’s New York headquarters in an Uber car, Buzzfeed reporter Johana Bhuiyan alleged Uber’s New York General Manager Josh Mohrer met her as soon as she stepped out of the vehicle, saying “There you are, I was tracking you.”

The separate data breach of driver’s information was discovered by Uber in May 2014, but Uber did not let drivers know about the breach until Feb. 26, 2015, despite knowing about the breach in September 2014, according to the AG’s office.

“This settlement protects the personal information of Uber riders from potential abuse by company executives and staff, including the real-time locations of riders in an Uber vehicle,” Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. “We are committed to protecting the privacy of consumers and customers of any product in New York State, as well as that of employees of any company operating here. I strongly encourage all technology companies to regularly review and amend their own policies and procedures to better protect their customers’ and employees' private information.”