I saw this earlier and had hopes that the update would just let me choose "While Using" in the app settings, like some other apps allow you even if they request access even while not using the app, but the settings only allow for "Always" or "Never" on iPhone. However, you can use Uber without allowing GPS, so it's not all or nothing.
I'm a little disturbed that they need any information after I use Uber though. They know where I was picked up and where I'm going, why do they need to know where I'm at after I get dropped off? That's a little intrusive to me. The proposed argument in the article, "Uber hopes to eliminate the most frustrating part of the experience: the game of phone tag that both the rider and driver play when trying to coordinate the pickup spot," is fine and I'd accept that even though I'm extremely wary of apps that have access to my GPS data while I'n not using the app because I can't see it in fine detail (as far as I know you only can see that some app is accessing your GPS currently, not which one(s) exactly). However, Uber has no need for the data after I am finished. I'm not a fan of being tracked in general, by governments or otherwise, but for a private company to request data after I finish using their services is intrusive and maybe this is conspiracy but I wouldn't be surprised if this data is sent real time and it's possible to see where a user is at any given time after they leave the car (during that 5 minute window).
I'm also curious how this will bump up against EU privacy laws. I'm in the states and this may only be enabled for certain markets, but I wonder if this would cause issues in EU if it's enabled there.
I'm a little disturbed that they need any information after I use Uber though. They know where I was picked up and where I'm going, why do they need to know where I'm at after I get dropped off? That's a little intrusive to me. The proposed argument in the article, "Uber hopes to eliminate the most frustrating part of the experience: the game of phone tag that both the rider and driver play when trying to coordinate the pickup spot," is fine and I'd accept that even though I'm extremely wary of apps that have access to my GPS data while I'n not using the app because I can't see it in fine detail (as far as I know you only can see that some app is accessing your GPS currently, not which one(s) exactly). However, Uber has no need for the data after I am finished. I'm not a fan of being tracked in general, by governments or otherwise, but for a private company to request data after I finish using their services is intrusive and maybe this is conspiracy but I wouldn't be surprised if this data is sent real time and it's possible to see where a user is at any given time after they leave the car (during that 5 minute window).
I'm also curious how this will bump up against EU privacy laws. I'm in the states and this may only be enabled for certain markets, but I wonder if this would cause issues in EU if it's enabled there.