If you follow the NHL you may be aware of the on-going public outcry regarding the Ottawa Senators Hockey Players taking an uber ride. In a video recorded on October 29th in Arizona, seven players of the Ottawa Senators collectively bash one of their coaches and criticize the team’s ability to kill off Power Plays. As much of an embarrassing team moment this may be, it raises the bigger question globally, are people entitled to their privacy in a shared car experience like Uber?
Rob Khazzam, the General Manager of Canada’s Uber had this to say via twitter: “This is a clear violation of our terms of service and we worked vigorously to investigate this issue.” He later added, “A video was released by the media today of several Uber passengers being filmed without their consent while having a private discussion during a trip in Phoenix.” “Filming or recording of passengers without their consent is totally unacceptable and if reported/detected we will investigate and take action to preserve our communities’ privacy and integrity. In this specific case, we made efforts to have the video taken down.”
While filming passengers without their knowledge is against Uber’s policy and the law, it does bring up another question, Shouldn’t ride-sharing drivers be allowed to install dashboard cameras for their own safety and to disprove any passenger accusations?”This is certainly a case that will continue to grow as many of the Ottawa Senator Players are considering legal actions against Uber itself. This investigation and possible trial can and will shape how much privacy a passenger and driver is entitled to moving forward.
About Uber:
According to their website Uber is a technology platform. The Uber smartphone app connects driver-partners and riders to help them get from point A to point B.