Uber is using a secret software app called "Greyball" and later renamed the "violation of terms of service" or VTOS program. The tool can work identity requests on certain users and Uber may deny service to those who are violating its terms of service, but also identify city officials or members of code enforcement authorities who are attempting to gather data about Uber offering service where it's currently prohibited.
Uber's Secret Tracking App
According to The New York Times, Uber's secret software employs data analysis on info collected by the Uber app. Uber has launched its "violation of terms of service" or VTOS program, briefly known as Greyball, around the year 2014. The program denies ride requests to various users who are violating Uber's terms of service, including competitors looking to disrupt its operations, people aiming to physically harm drivers, or officials on sting operations trying to secretly entrap drivers.
How Greyball Works?
According to Uber, its program aims to protect its drivers from code enforcers working in concert with taxi interests. Among the techniques reportedly used by Uber include conducting searches for social media profiles to confirm certain users were members of local regulation enforcement teams.
According to Gizmodo, other technique employed by Uber was tracing users' credit card information to determine whether that card was tied directly to a police credit union. The Greyball app was also building a virtual perimeter around authority offices and facilities in cities monitored for Uber app usage. If drivers picked up someone on the Greyball list accidentally, Uber sometimes called them to end rides prematurely.
As many as 50 to 60 Uber employees knew about Greyball's existence, including Ryan Graves, general counsel Salle Too and VP of Global Operations. The VTOS program continues to operate even now. The company put it to use in a handful of other countries, as well as in Paris, Las Vegas, Boston, and Portland, Oregon. This new scandal involving Uber is adding to a very bad year for the company.
