Uber's Attempts to Sabotage Lyft

Casey Newton, writing for The Verge:

Using contractors it calls “brand ambassadors,” Uber requests rides from Lyft and other competitors, recruits their drivers, and takes multiple precautions to avoid detection. The effort, which Uber appears to be rolling out nationally, has already resulted in thousands of canceled Lyft rides and made it more difficult for its rival to gain a foothold in new markets. Uber calls the program “SLOG,” and it’s a previously unreported aspect of the company’s ruthless efforts to undermine its competitors.

Despicable business practices. This kind of anti-competitive behavior is illegal and needs to be stopped. Digging their hole deeper, Uber has explicitly denied previous allegations that it was calling and then canceling rides from Lyft, or trying to recruit their employees to come work for Uber instead.

After Uber became aware that The Verge was asking questions, Target CW sent out multiple emails warning contractors that talking to the press violated a non-disclosure agreement they signed when they joined.

Even after they've been caught Uber continues to try to cover it up. They know it's wrong and they don't care at all.

While it doesn't operate in my area, if I'm ever out of town and looking for a ride from one of these services, I will not be choosing Uber. (▼)(▲)The sad part is, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Lyft or other similar services are employing the same tactics against Uber, making them just as bad. Until that's proven though I would still use them over Uber. Innocent until proven guilty and all that jazz.