Riders React To New Uber Feature, Tracking Your Location After Your Ride
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you use Uber, you know when the app has been updated. But, did you know the latest version allows the ride sharing service to track your location, even after your ride?
"Kind of underhanded," said Lindsey Mitros of Fairmount.
"It's an invasion of privacy," added fellow Philly resident Monette Lefevre.
"I don't feel too concerned about it," said Patrick Woodruff of Northeast Philly.
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"It's certainly a trend we're seeing more and more," explained Dr. Rob D'Ovidio, an internet surveillance expert and Associate Dean at Drexel University. He says location data has become very valuable not just to Uber, but to several other apps and third parties.
"They're making money off of your data, they're selling it to advertisers. And quite frankly, are they giving me discounts on services? If not, I have a problem."
Uber says it only tracks your location five minutes after you exit, allowing for more precise pick-up locations and less driver fraud.
Joanna Marks of Philly wasn't too concerned. "Seems pretty innocuous to me since its only five minutes."
If you're not comfortable, Dr. D'Ovidio recommends turning off location services for the app and manually typing the address.
"When you're not using it, close it down. Don't let it run in background. That gives you more control and confidence."
Mitros added, "I think that would make me think twice about using that app, maybe look to other competitors."
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Marks said it wouldn't change her habits.
"I think these are small prices to pay for app that provides a lot of convenience."
