About
Uber is mobile application which allows users to request ride from car drivers for hire. The service has generated protests from taxi companies worldwide, who argue that Uber uses unfair business practices and illegal operations. In November 2014, Uber executive Emil Michael was criticized for statements made at a dinner, where he suggested the company should hire a team of investigators to target journalist Sarah Lacy.
History
In 2009, entrepreneurs Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick founded the “UberCab” car service in San Francisco, California. In 2010, the company launched a mobile application for iOS and Android devices, which initially only allowed users to hail car drivers in the San Francisco area. In 2011, the venture capital firm Benchmark led a Series A funding round for Uber, which raised $11.5 million. That year, Goldman Sachs, Menlo Ventures and Bezos Expeditions invested $32 million in Uber.
Controversy
Emil Michael’s Journalist Intimidation Statements
On November 17th, 2014, BuzzFeed[2] published an article by staff writer Ben Smith titled “Uber Executive Suggests Digging Up Dirt on Journalists,” which revealed that Uber executive Emil Michael suggested that his company launch an offensive against critics by hiring a team of investigators to dig up dirt on journalists, specifically mentioning Panda Daily writer Sarah Lacy.