Editor
The last few months hasn’t been good for Uber, the company is being plagued by one problem after another. Recently they have become embroiled in sexual harassment allegations from a former employee who worked as a software engineer with the company. She alleged that nothing was done when she brought the issue to the HR department.
Uber faced heat from both its drivers and users when it was accused of ignoring a taxi union strike in New York that was protesting against the anti immigration policies of Donald Trump. Over 200,000 people uninstalled the app and deactivated their accounts as a show of protest.
Just recently Waymo, the autonomous car brand of Alphabet Inc has accused Uber of corporate espionage by stealing 14,000 files. Though Uber has vehemently denied the allegations and said that they are ready to defend themselves in court.
Now the latest controversy is created by Uber ‘s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Travis Kalanick. He was seen arguing with an Uber driver who was complaining because of the decrease in rates. The driver Fawzi Kamel told Kalanick that because the Uber business was changed and prices were cut, he has lost $7000 and has gone bankrupt. In reply Kalanick angrily retorts that some people don’t take responsibility for their own actions. The video was captured in the dashboard camera of the car and was posted by Bloomberg.
After the video was released, Kalanick stated that he was ashamed for his behavior and also apologized to Fawzi Kemal, the driver in the video. “It’s clear this video is a reflection of me – and the criticism we’ve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up. This is the first time I’ve been willing to admit that I need leadership help and I intend to get it,” he wrote in his statement.
(Reporting by Ananya Dutta; Editing by Zainab Asif)
Mohith Agadi
