Uber Asks Everyone To Stop Making It The New Tinder (sfgate.com)

Ride-sharers have been using Uber and Lyft "carpool" apps to meet dates -- and now Uber's trying to stop it. An anonymous reader quotes SFGate: This week Uber updated their community guidelines to discourage passengers from using the ride-sharing app as a hook-up opportunity. Some Uber and Lyft riders have been using the car-pooling option as a way to meet or hook up with others. But Uber is not pleased and has advised users to not flirt or touch passengers. "It's OK to chat with other people in the car. But please don't comment on someone's appearance or ask whether they are single," Uber's guidelines state.
Their new policy now specifically states that "Uber has a no sex rule. That's no sexual conduct between drivers and riders, no matter what."

Comments

No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

"Their new policy now specifically states that "Uber has a no sex rule. That's no sexual conduct between drivers and riders, no matter what."

Must have been a problem if a rule's needed.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[AmiMoJo]

They have already had a few issues with sexual assault. They are probably worried that some creep will think this is a good way to meet women and they will get sued for not stopping it or something.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[BarbaraHudson]

Why should they worry about being sued if they're not the employer and the drivers are just independent contractors?

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

How are those issues connected? If some Uber drivers/riders flirt with one another, or hook up ... that's fine; that's part of normal human interaction. If a driver sexually assaults a rider, or vice versa, that's a problem. But having a rule against the former doesn't do anything about the latter.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[jshackney]

I was thinking the same thing. Uber is sounding more and more like an employer every day.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[AmiMoJo]

They help arrange the meeting via their app, which creates some amount of legal liability.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[prefec2]

The best thing for Uber is, legally they are only an app and drivers are using the app or are contractors. However, in the UK they got one over the head, as they were classified by court as an employer.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[Hognoxious]

If they arrange a meeting by old fashioned letter writing does that create a liability for Parker, Basildon Bond & The Royal Mail?

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[BarbaraHudson]

They help arrange the meeting via their app, which creates some amount of legal liability.

Not really, because the activity in question isn't illegal.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[ClickOnThis]

If they arrange a meeting by old fashioned letter writing does that create a liability for Parker, Basildon Bond & The Royal Mail?

No. No more than the manufacturers of the car and the constructors of the roads would be liable in the case of Uber.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

Thanks for clearing that up mate, pretty sure everyone here had no clue this was happening!

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[AmiMoJo]

I mean if there is a sexual assault, then there would be illegal activity and the victim is likely to try to sue them.

I know it seems a bit silly in some ways, but because the app helps people arrange car pooling and has a reputation and vetting system in it, lawyers will try.

Also, they probably don't want to put people who don't want to go on "dates" with random strangers off using their service.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

Shit like this is necessary because of assholes like you who never place blame where it's deserved.

You're the type who wants hammer manufacturers shut down when someone hits their thumb.

Rape is the fault of the rapist, and nobody else.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

Exactly, this is why I don't use Uber. There's so many creepy chicks out there trying to get a piece of my ass. Guys, you need to be more careful out there. Woman are predators, especially when they see cuties like us computer nerds. Many of them are violent also when they don't get their way. Still, my one friend uses Uber and was just last week accosted by some tramp they picked up at a bingo place, grabbed him right on the weiner.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[BarbaraHudson]

Illegal activity by a contractor is solely the responsibility of the contractor, since the contractor sets the rules for fulfilling the contract. Illegal activity by an employee, on the other hand, attaches to both the employee and the employer.

Same rules as workman's compensation, minimum wage requirements, social security and unemployment plan payments, etc.

That's one of the reasons why Uber doesn't want to be classified as an employer, even though the people driving for them do not meet the requirements to be classified as independent contractors.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

Michelle: "This one time, at Uber camp, I stuck a Uber-enabled Android device in my pussy..."
~Quote from the movie Uber Pie [2016]

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

It covers them in court, where they can say "we told them not to do that and they agreed not to do that when they started using our app, therefore the driver/user was acting on their own."

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

I know what you mean, I have been almost cuddled to death by women on several occasions because of my extreme cuteness. I have to be very careful if I bring my ham radio out with me, it makes the ladies very frisky.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[jenningsthecat]

They help arrange the meeting via their app, which creates some amount of legal liability.

They don't 'help arrange the meeting' - that implies intention. Their app and their infrastructure are being used for other than their intended purpose - that is, to arrange dates. Arguably, the telephone, a bulletin board, and a newspaper can be used in the same way - and I'm unaware of any liability ever having been assigned to any of those because people used them to hook up.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

You wouldn't be suggesting that paki-boy just made shit up, would you?

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[unixisc]

Makes sense. If I'm a driver and putting miles on my car, I don't want my back seat to be a procreational platform for 2 people neither of which I know. It would be different if I were related or friends w/ either of them

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[TapeCutter]

They are still contractors in Oz, normal cab drivers and a lot of couriers are also contractors. The law in Oz is that 'contractors' on piecework/commision rates must be paid at an equivalent (or better) rate than the min hourly wage. Strangely it's one industrial relations law that no state/federal government department enforces and no tabloid ever mentions,

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

It's some hater shyt per usual. The girls start it a lot of the time, yes hot ones. I know first hand. It's the classic mediocre white dude analysis of who the girl goes for.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[ClickOnThis]

You wouldn't be suggesting that paki-boy just made shit up, would you?

I'm not aware of the reference. Kindly enlighten me, but without the racist terms.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[davester666]

Nobody cares what happens in Australia.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[Ol Olsoc]

Why should they worry about being sued if they're not the employer and the drivers are just independent contractors?

Yup, if you skirt the regulations, don't be too surprised if you find out why there were regulations.

Because if a private contractor for Uber is also a private contractor for sex, well - the invisible handjob of the free market.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[LinuxLuver]

Nobody you know. Either of them.

Re: No sex between rulemakers.

[Anonymous Coward]

While we are at it maybe we should have a rule about no sex for law makers. Maybe that rule will actually keep creepy law makers from treating their job as a way to score some ass.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[Meski]

Procreational? So it's ok if we use frangers?

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[tehcyder]

I don't want my back seat to be a procreational platform for 2 people neither of which I know. It would be different if I were related or friends w/ either of them

So watching strangers fuck is wrong, but it's OK if it's your sister?

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[unixisc]

Yup!!!

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[Coren22]

Frankly, the same works for lesbians as there can be assault there too.

But anyways, when did picking up women (or men) equate to sexual assault? Usually sexual assault can only occure if the victim has already said no and the perpetrator continues anyways, so how would this have anything to do with complimenting someone or asking them out on a date?

At least, unless you are a rabid feminist who screams rape when a man holds a door open for you.

Re:No sex between rulemakers.

[Coren22]

Its not like you can hit it, so why not?

Independent contractor?

[duckintheface]

One more piece of evidence (if more were needed) to show that the "independent contractor" fantasy is phony. Uber wants to call it's drivers contractors so they don't have to pay minimum wage or offer benefits. But if drivers really were contractors, it would be none of Uber's business if flirtation or consensual sex were on the menu of services offered.

Re:Independent contractor?

[mysidia]

Correct..... the moment the company begins to directly spell out details of worker mannerisms and conduct about the way people actually behave or present themselves while working, rather than the way the job is to be completed,
they begin to get in trouble as no longer contracting these people, but are just an employee trying to evade regulations and taxes, they are employing them, since they specify not only work to be accomplished but required worker conditions as well.

Re:Independent contractor?

[jellomizer]

Having worked as an independent contractor before. I still needed to follow the rules of my customer. In this case the customer is Uber. States when hiring contractors often having rules where the need to disclose their incomes, bonuses if they are a minority...

Re:Independent contractor?

[110010001000]

Bullshit. Contractors have to follow the companies guidelines when they are working, or they get fired. Do you think government contractors go around and are allowed to sexually harass people in the office just because they are contractors?

Re:Independent contractor?

[110010001000]

Again, bullshit. Contractors are representatives of the company they contract for. There are no restrictions on requesting them to behave in a certain manner. You guys seem to think contracting is some sort of freewheeling deal. It isn't.

Re:Independent contractor?

[greenbird]

But if drivers really were contractors, it would be none of Uber's business if flirtation or consensual sex were on the menu of services offered.

Ummm, that's just stupid. They're contractors. There's a contract between the drivers and Uber. Both sides have to agree to and abide by the terms of the contract. Uber sets all kinds of conditions in the contract. Including this condition is no different than condition regulating the type of car or anything else.

In other words your argument is completely fallacious both logically and legally.

Re:Independent contractor?

[BarbaraHudson]

Disclosing your income, bonuses, and whether you are a minority are not dictating your conduct. Certain professions have a code of ethics that governs the profession that prohibits, for example, any sex between a doctor and patient, a teacher and a child student, or a guard and a prisoner, because in such relationships there is an inequality of power between the two parties, so free consent legally cannot exist.

There is no similar imbalance of power between a random Uber driver and a client unless the driver uses coercion, threats, etc., which is illegal no matter who is doing it.

Re:Independent contractor?

[ClickOnThis]

Contractors are representatives of the company they contract for. There are no restrictions on requesting them to behave in a certain manner.

I think you might want to qualify that.

Re: Independent contractor?

[Anonymous Coward]

Who keeps modding this guy up? Just look at his post history. He is a god damn troll. Most of his post aren't even factual. Just sensationalism.

There is a big difference between sexual harassment which is a fucking crime, and meeting someone and hooking up with them mutually. A company should not be able to tell the people it contracts who, when, and where they can hook up with.

Re:Independent contractor?

[Actually, I do RTFA]

Except the more control that Uber puts over drivers, the more likely they are to cross from "contractor" to "employee". Heck, feel free to check with the government

Re:Independent contractor?

[Dutch Gun]

I'm currently an independent contractor, and still had to agree to my client's non-disclosure terms, rules of conduct, etc, in order to take on that contract. I'm not saying I agree with Uber's notion of a "independent contractor". I'm just saying that *actual* independent contractors have to sign and adhere to workspace-specific agreements all the time. So, I don't think that's necessarily a useful metric.

Re:Independent contractor?

[greenbird]

Except the more control that Uber puts over drivers, the more likely they are to cross from "contractor" to "employee".

Certain types of control get into a gray area, yes. Regulating the type of cars allowed would likely cross that line. Regulating the the cars must meet certain minimum standers likely shouldn't. Regulating the services provided is fundamental to the business. The standard of the service is too. Guidelines on sexual contact isn't in that gray area. Actually not regulating this would likely raise safe workplace environment issues. The list of the regulations that would cross over to employee is list below. Please explain how rules on sexual contact between contractors and customers could be shoehorned in.

1. When and where to do the work.
2. What tools or equipment to use.
3. What workers to hire or to assist with the work.
4. Where to purchase supplies and services.
5. What work must be performed by a specified individual.
6. What order or sequence to follow when performing the work.

Putting all that aside, the idiots suing over this are pretty much going to kill the goose. The only one who benefits are the lawyers. If they're employees suddenly Uber/Lyft gets to control much much more of how and when they work. That kinda destroys the whole attraction of driving for Uber. Also looking over your own page I'm not seeing where Uber crosses any of the lines towards employee.

Re:Independent contractor?

[MightyMartian]

In some countries, like Canada any kind of contract relationship that looks too much like an employer-employee relationship can be deemed as such, and there have been companies nailed very hard if they're determined to be an employer; particular when it comes to various payroll taxes or violating maximum weekly hours.

Re:Independent contractor?

[Anonymous Coward]

Regulating the type of cars allowed would likely cross that line.

Well, they do that. You can't be an Uber driver in a coupe, you have to have a sedan (4-doors). And I'm pretty sure they wouldn't accept a 30 year old Buick that's been in 4 wrecks and looks like it's been in 10, you have to have a "nice looking" car.

Re:Independent contractor?

[thegarbz]

Except the more control that Uber puts over drivers, the more likely they are to cross from "contractor" to "employee". Heck, feel free to check with the government

Except this is not behavioural control. This is code of conduct and abiding by a company's code of conduct is a standard part of any contract. If this is your argument for considering them employees it is damn weak, there are far better examples in Uber's conduct for this.

Re:Independent contractor?

[greenbird]

Well, they do that. You can't be an Uber driver in a coupe, you have to have a sedan (4-doors).

They don't. They require a minimum standard of the equipment you use. They don't state you can only use these types of vehicles. Big difference.

Re:Independent contractor?

[swb]

Having worked as an independent contractor before. I still needed to follow the rules of my customer.

Do you? Employees generally have all kinds of rules, most of which don't make any sense unless you're an actual employee. So what specific rules am I required to follow and which ones do I not follow? Unless it's spelled out specifically, it sounds like I'm the one interpreting which rules I have to follow. Everything else is just an assumption on their part.

I've never had an contract employer make me read the handbook and sign the paper that says I read it.

Of course all of this is just a mere formality. Unless you're an asshole, "following the rules" is, 99% of the time, a question of basic social skills.

Re:Independent contractor?

[nadass]

@110010001000, where do you draw the line? When prayer rules/rights/wrongs are dictated, or termination for smoking at home (cuz the employer doesn't like the idea), or restricting bathroom breaksto 5 minutes once every 2 hours (even if you're pregnant), or when a hello/goodbye handshake or high-five is reclassified physical contact and an overt precursor to aggravated sexual assault (cuz you know that's what ALWAYS happens).

Re:Independent contractor?

[nadass]

@greenbird, where do you draw the line? When prayer rules/rights/wrongs are dictated, or termination for smoking at home (cuz the employer doesn't like the idea), or restricting bathroom breaksto 5 minutes once every 2 hours (even if you're pregnant), or when a hello/goodbye handshake or high-five is reclassified physical contact and an overt precursor to aggravated sexual assault (cuz you know that's what ALWAYS happens).

Re:Independent contractor?

[mark-t]

As far as I was aware, the only restriction they make on the type of car is that it cannot have any markings that associate it with any particular person, company, or product other than the manufacturer of the vehicle itself.

Re:Independent contractor?

[Hognoxious]

Well obviously it depends on where you are, but in the UK for example it's one of a series of tests.

https://www.gov.uk/employment-...

Re:Independent contractor?

[Anonymous Coward]

There isn't a rigid power structure between driver and passenger, but a huge amount of trust both to get into a stranger's vehicle and be captive while they drive you and to have a strange sit behind you in a confined space where nobody can help you. For both parties, adding a new ambiguity around sexual activities makes this trust issue worse. Regardless of any legal liability, I can see that Uber does not want to have their brand associated with conduct which might scare away potential participants.

On the other hand, it is a rather unlikely that people would stop participating in a ride service because they are NOT exposed to sexual propositions. After all, they can hire a ride to a bar or church if they want to get that kind of action...

Re:Independent contractor?

[Anonymous Coward]

I am an independent contractor to a school. They have "no sex with students" policy. Thing about *contracts* is you can put lots of things in them, like don't bonk your passengers or students!

Re: Independent contractor?

[Anonymous Coward]

You did not have to agree.

Re:Independent contractor?

[Anonymous Coward]

Conduct is not behavior?

Impressive mental gymnastics routine.

Re: Independent contractor?

[Anonymous Coward]

Technically you could not be fired, as you are not an employee, but your contract could be terminated. If you have formed a sole trader company then it is actually a business to business deal and you'd only be fired if you ordered yourself to go and sit in front if the mirror, give yourself a stern talking to then escort yourself out of your house.

Re:Independent contractor?

[drinkypoo]

Contractors have to follow the companies guidelines when they are working, or they get fired. Do you think government contractors go around and are allowed to sexually harass people in the office just because they are contractors?

In the office? No. In the middle east? Yep.

Re:Independent contractor?

[EmptyHead]

The real fantasy is that the drivers should expect to be full time employees, that was never promised anywhere. They can drive full time if they lack a job, but that is their choice. Uber is pushing hard for autonomous vehicles because of this full time entitlement fantasy. The entitled whiners will get nothing then and will have to find a day job and not have an option to drive at all. 1940 called, they want their taxi drivers back.

Translation

[tomhath]

This week Uber updated their community guidelines to discourage passengers from using the ride-sharing app as a hook-up opportunity.

Along with complete instructions on how it can be done. But you shouldn't follow those instructions. But if you do it will work quite well.

Re:Translation

[Anonymous Coward]

Guidelines are just that. Guidelines.

Re:Translation

[Hognoxious]

Do you mean something like the prohibition-era instructions on fruit juice: "On no account allow yeast (such as from bread or rotting fruit) to come into contact with it, and if it does don't leave it in a warmish place for a few days..."

How can they stop this

[gander666]

Seems like a natural extension of their platform. I am wondering how they could have not seen this possibility, and how they think they can prevent this.

Re:How can they stop this

[Anonymous Coward]

Combine it with Uber Eats and you've got yourself an entire night out, right there in the back seat.

Re:How can they stop this

[sexconker]

Their platform? People will fuck.

They're literally trying to stop sex. Not gonna happen.

Re:How can they stop this

[Anonymous Coward]

Their platform? People will fuck.

They're literally trying to stop sex. Not gonna happen.

Yeah, because once you become a Uber driver the ownership of your car is transferred to Uber and you have no say at all about what goes on in the vehicle between passengers. What? That's not how it works? The driver still retains ownership of his car and can dictate how the passengers behave in it, or else they can get out? Well, what's the big deal then?

Re:How can they stop this

[mysidia]

Next thing you know you will have discounted rides and "Sex" expected as part of the payment for the transaction

It may be a completely natural extension to the platform, but I could see why Uber might have obvious objections, As
this potentially eliminates their business model ---- it is a potential compromise on the professionalism, And this is fodder for competitors to get more regulations passed to protect consumers from Uber drivers.

Re:How can they stop this

[Mr D from 63]

Seems like a natural extension of their platform. I am wondering how they could have not seen this possibility, and how they think they can prevent this.

They could have some hook up version of Uber Select. Conversion vans would be allowed. It might require fuzzy dice and carpet on the dashboard just so you know what you are getting in to.

Re:How can they stop this

[BarbaraHudson]

In the back seat? Only if the Uber car is on of those '50s roadmasters in Cuba, or you're both midgets, or you actually enjoy physical discomfort, or you just lay there dead (though there are probably some people get off on having a dead f*ck - probably pretending they're necrophiliacs).

Re:How can they stop this

[BarbaraHudson]

We already have this, same as where guys thing that supper and a few drinks entitles them to sex, and bosses and potential employers who believe you better put out if you want to get or keep the job.

If you've hailed an Uber, you already have a smartphone, so it's not like if they say "f*ck or walk" that you don't have options. 911 is there for that.

Re:How can they stop this

[BarbaraHudson]

Shh - it's not referred to as carpet, it's "monkey fur". And often it looks exactly like that. The dash, the ceiling, the insides ... and often whoever's driving ...

Re:How can they stop this

[Cederic]

guys thing that supper and a few drinks entitles them to sex

I suspect most guys don't think that at all.

Of course, women that let a man buy them dinner and a few drinks because they wants a free dinner and some drinks and have every intention of telling him to fuck off are nothing to admire either.

Women that refuse to sleep with a man because he invited them to share the costs of dating deserve to die lonely too.

Yeah, I can understand a man expecting women to be a little more honest and sharing. Luckily these days that's more frequently the case.

Re:How can they stop this

[mysidia]

Of course, women that let a man buy them dinner and a few drinks because they wants a free dinner and some drinks and have every intention of telling him to fuck off are nothing to admire either.

Both are Abusive/Disrespectful concepts for someone to go out and have the idea of doing, and BarbaraHudson's rant about this supposedly being the case is Off-topic and Sexist, for some reason, calling out men alone on supposedly thinking "supper and a few drinks entitles them to sex".

You don't go into a respectable bar to buy a drink and expect the bartender will attempt to make a sexual pass at you, Or make a pass at the bartender and start up sexual relations in this public setting.

They would get fired for that shit, Or management would get the bouncer to come kick you out of the bar and re-arrange your face/otherwise mess you up so bad as to make sure ya didn't even think of trying to come back, one or the other.

Businesses have reputations and images to maintain, and cannot accept having that tainted by inappropriate behavior for transaction of the company's intended product.

Re: How can they stop this

[Anonymous Coward]

411 is for that, not 911

Re: How can they stop this

[BarbaraHudson]

Don't be stupid. Someone is attempting to coerce sex out of you, that's a police matter.

Re:How can they stop this

[HornWumpus]

Did 'supper' include lobster?

Re: How can they stop this

[Anonymous Coward]

Hitting on someone is not illegal. Unless the driver or passenger where somehow threatening the person being hit on, the cops would laugh at them.

"Hey, wanna fuck?" - legal
"Fuck me or I'll stab you!" - illegal

Re: How can they stop this

[BarbaraHudson]

It most certainly is illegal in situations where one person is in a position of authority over another. Or are you going to say that the grade 3 teacher should be allowed to hit on students? Or the psychiatrist or other MD hit on their patients? Or the prison guard hit on inmates? Or cops on subjects they're considering arresting, with the implied message that a blow job will set them free? Or a Greyhound bus driver to the last passenger at night on a country road? Now replace "Greyhound bus driver" with "Uber driver."

How about if the driver in your example, instead of saying "Hey, wanna fuck" says "Hey, wanna give me all your money?" He hasn't made an overt threat, but there certainly is an implied one at 2am.

Re:How can they stop this

[dcollins117]

You don't go into a respectable bar to buy a drink and expect the bartender will attempt to make a sexual pass at you, Or make a pass at the bartender and start up sexual relations in this public setting.

Hell yeah I do. Around here that's called "a normal Tuesday night".

Re: How can they stop this

[mysidia]

It most certainly is illegal in situations where one person is in a position of authority over another.

In the US it's generally a Civil matter for most states, unless the driver has attempted rape, bodily harm, or committed an assault or battery, police have no involvement with no criminal violations committed.

The driver could very well have still 'hit on them' or told them 'Agree to Sex or get out of my car', and there will be nothing the police could do, although there might be action for a claim in civil court.

Re: How can they stop this

[BarbaraHudson]

Coercion, which is encoded in the law as a duress crime, is a criminal act.

Re: How can they stop this

[mysidia]

Coercion, which is encoded in the law as a duress crime, is a criminal act.

Unless the driver is threatening physical harm if no sex, then it's not coercion.
A duress crime only occurs in case physical abuse is threatened, or extortion (blackmail)

Re: How can they stop this

[BarbaraHudson]

Or implied. Learn your law.

Really?

[Anonymous Coward]

Uber has a no sex rule. That's no sexual conduct between drivers and riders, no matter what.

Even if she's really, really ridiculously good-looking?

Re:Really?

[jshackney]

Uber, so hot right now. Uber.

How on earth is this policy enforced?

[SpankiMonki]

Are the drivers expected to turn a hose on the passengers groping each other in the back?

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't they mean the driver interacting with the passengers?

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[Anonymous Coward]

Well what would you do if some passengers in the backseat of your car started to get bizzayy while you drove them to their destinations? Me? I would tell them to knock it off or get out of the car. It's the driver's car and not Uber's after all.

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[Razed By TV]

If Uber wanted to - ask drivers to report problem users, maintain a list of banned phone numbers and stop them from summoning Uber drivers.

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[Anonymous Coward]

And as a part time Uber driver, I'd just ignore it (or watch a bit if they're hot) unless they made a mess. No bodily fluids on the seats, please.

I've already ignored the open container rule, my comment was just "keep it where the cops can't see it."

If they ask nicely, they can bring their guns too.

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[BarbaraHudson]

Well what would you do if some passengers in the backseat of your car started to get bizzayy while you drove them to their destinations? Me? I would tell them to knock it off or get out of the car. It's the driver's car and not Uber's after all.

I'm surprised Uber isn't asking them to install video cameras and stream the action so they can sell it to some porn hub.

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[Anonymous Coward]

That's cool, it's your car after all. I wouldn't want the liabilities that go with allowing that stuff, though.

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[sethstorm]

Easy, it's only enforced when Uber wants to purge a conservative from their platform.

Re:How on earth is this policy enforced?

[HornWumpus]

You can get front/rear dashcams built into replacement rearview mirrors...you're not intending to make volunteer porn, you just wanted to protect yourself from liability.

Put a sticker on the camera. Check your local laws/examples.

I don't think it matters at this point

[rsilvergun]

the courts are pretty well stacked with a pro corporate / anti-worker bias. The folks who favor Uber's model have been taking over the courts by winning local elections via heavy money spending and gerrymandering for 20 years. I guess it's just another example of our "post-truth" society. If Uber was going to lose on facts they would have done so by now. Hell, they've more or less won every court case so far. Worker's rights went out the window when the blue collar and white collar guys started fighting among themselves and solidarity went out the window...

Re: I don't think it matters at this point

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe that is the case in the US, but elsewhere Uber has lost some major cases, including being kicked out of some countries altogether. I have no sympathy at all for companies whose business model is "illegally profit by avoiding social responsibility" by either tax dodging or in this case avoiding giving their workers due privileges.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[jellomizer]

Only 20 years?
Are you only 20 years old?

There has always been a gap between the big boss man and the workers. Communism started because of these issues.
During the 1990s we were at a peak. Cold War ended we were for the most part at peace with the world. People were working to fix the Y2K bug or replacing their infrastructure.
It was mostly due to circumstances and the tech bubble. Not politics.

Part of the issue from getting out of the 2008 Recession is the fact we do not have too many major players that came up with something new. The few exceptions are the gig economy jobs. Were people can empower themselves to make some extra cash on their free time. The problem became when these people made it their full time jobs.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[Hognoxious]

The gig economy is nothing new. from Victorian times up to the 1930s crowds of men would push and jostle in front of the factory gates hoping to get lucky that day.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[ClickOnThis]

The gig economy is nothing new. from Victorian times up to the 1930s crowds of men would push and jostle in front of the factory gates hoping to get lucky that day.

You're confusing the gig economy with underemployment. Right now, we have the former but (relatively speaking) not the latter.

Re: I don't think it matters at this point

[Type44Q]

During the 1990s we were at a peak.

That would be the 50's.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[Actually, I do RTFA]

Uber's been losing all the cases I've been following. Now, they immediately appeal, and the consequences are suspended while they appeal, but so far they've lost in, IIRC, California, New York Washington and Mass.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[Hognoxious]

Don't presume to tell me what I'm confusing, asshat.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[Anonymous Coward]

The gig economy is nothing new. from Victorian times up to the 1930s crowds of men would push and jostle in front of the factory gates hoping to get lucky that day.

Do I have a better chance of gettin' lucky if I jostle my bits and pieces in front of factory gates?!?! I didn't even know women were into that.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, Uber won in CA. Not so sure about the others.

Re: I don't think it matters at this point

[jellomizer]

Why would you say that? There was a underemployed working class made up just by skin color. Afraid of trying something new in fear of being labeled a communist. You better make sure most of your income goes to keeping up impressions.

Re: I don't think it matters at this point

[TapeCutter]

As an ex-taxi driver Uber look remarkably similar to old fashioned racketeers with deep pockets. In those jurisdictions where lawmakers have capitulated to Uber's 'corporate disobedience' tactics society will be spending the next 20-30yrs reinventing a well regulated taxi industry.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[ClickOnThis]

Don't presume to tell me what I'm confusing, asshat.

I just gained a new understanding of your username.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't understand the fuss. If people weren't happy driving for Uber, then don't. Their rates aren't that great, the app is very convenient but there are other options. The model was meant to be an extra income, it doesn't work as a full time employer with vacations, benefits, etc. Their prices would go through the ceiling and we'd be back to the taxi mafias.

Re:I don't think it matters at this point

[EmptyHead]

Of course they're just being corrupt. It couldn't be that the expectations of these low skilled people that the left has failed could be unreasonable. Globalization and automation certainly didn't help either. It does suck that it takes 2 incomes to live less comfortably than our parents did with one, but the cause is bigger than the local courts.

Re: I don't think it matters at this point

[danbert8]

In 20-30 years, no human will be driving any commercial vehicle. Uber is just using "independent contractors" as a crutch until self driving cars replace all taxis.

huh!?

[Anonymous Coward]

is this why that 25yo blonde had are hand all up my leg the other night? now it all makes sense.

Isn't this just a marketing message?

[hawguy]

Kind of like the humble brag "Ugh I just spilled wine on my Harvard admission letter!", Uber is bringing attention to this to let more people know about this great new way to use Uber, while at the same time updating their completely unenforceable community guidelines to "discourage it" so if someone complains about getting hit on on a ride, they can say "It's not our fault... he wasn't supposed to do that, it's right there in the community guidelines"

Single people hook up anywhere, news at 11

[Kjella]

They can make up any rules they want, if people take an interest they'll try flirting regardless. Compliments and open ended questions will for the most part get you clear feedback if your interest is wanted or unwanted. The rule is just there to punish those who think they're at a meat market or don't take a hint or outright rejection and starts being a dick to the point where they get a complaint filed against them. It's basically like hooking up anywhere except Tinder, it's not like that's the only place it happens...

Re:Single people hook up anywhere, news at 11

[BarbaraHudson]

The rule is just there to punish those who think they're at a meat market

Uber treats their drivers like meat, a commodity to be used and then disposed of, so Uber kind of IS a meat market.

Re:Single people hook up anywhere, news at 11

[antdude]

/me flirts with you.

Hypocrites?

[Anonymous Coward]

I just saw an Uber commercial where a guy asks a girl to marry him, so Uber is trying to have it both ways, apparently.

Re:Hypocrites?

[russotto]

I just saw an Uber commercial where a guy asks a girl to marry him, so Uber is trying to have it both ways, apparently.

That's asking to STOP having sex, so it's OK.

Just so we're clear

[Anonymous Coward]

A peck on the cheek is fine, but I get kicked out when there's tongue?

Re:Just so we're clear

[Anonymous Coward]

Depends on where you stick the tongue and if you give the drive a rusty trombone.

Pick-up service

[Anonymous Coward]

Wasn't it obvious?

FleshÜber

[Anonymous Coward]

Time to create the riding and sharing service for the people, by the people.

The Uber cab company setting the rules. Again.

[smooth wombat]

What business is it of the Uber cab company if their customers are asking the other person such questions? Their employee is getting paid to pick people up and take them to whatever destination they want even when the driver wasn't going in the same direction.

If two (or more) people hit if off, so what? It's none of the cab company's business to pry into people's personal lives.

Uhm, Do you control it or not?

[Anonymous Coward]

Let me get this straight, when it is convenient for you, the drivers are not employees and you don't control them, but you want to control them as long as it doesn't have to do with a government agency lawsuit regarding your service. So which is it? Are the drivers your employees or not? If they aren't, you can't dictate what they do. If they are, then it is no longer ride sharing, it is a worldwide taxi service.

don't fight it, embrace it

[ooloorie]

Instead of getting all Victorian over this, why not simply add a "[ ] single and looking" checkbox, or "[ ] speed dating while commuting" or something.

The passenger can initiate

[Anonymous Coward]

There is nothing Uber can do to prevent passengers from initiating flirting with the driver or other passengers.

This is not about drivers

[afgam28]

From reading the comments, it seems a lot of people are misunderstanding the situation here. I think even the summary is missing the point! This is about passengers hooking up with other passengers, not with drivers.

Uber Pool and Lyft Line are services that let you carpool/fare split with other people. You request a ride, and it tries to match you up with people who have requested a similar pickup/dropoff point.

It's common to make small talk with the other passengers (just like you would with a taxi driver, or a regular UberX/Lyft driver) and people have realized that this provides a social pretense to meet other people and chat them up. FTFA:

Although passengers have no control over whom they’re partnered with, there’s a high-enough density of young, single people in a city like San Francisco that occasional romantic interludes happen. As people share the ride to their respective destinations, they have a bit of downtime to get to know one another...It’s speed-dating on demand, and the people doing it say it’s better than Tinder.

Lyft has even experimented with features to facilitate this: https://techcrunch.com/2015/05...

No sex please

[goombah99]

were Uber.

Re:No sex please

[unixisc]

And you're unter.

Maybe Uber could merge w/ or acquire Match.com or one of those dating sites, and direct passengers to that if that's what people wanna do

You heard the man

[tietokone-olmi]

Uber will only become the new Grindr.

They're "settling" their big California case

[rsilvergun]

it's only a matter of how much they pay. But that won't change how they treat employees as contractors when it's convenient for them. Still no benefits, not workman's comp, no unemployment insurance payments and no matching Social Security or Medicare payments.

It's especially bad for SS & Medicare. The 'gig' economy is going to be a big part of dismantling what's left of the safety net. It'll pull billions out of those systems and then the right wing will point to a lack of funds as a reason to privatize the system (they don't want to do away with it, they want to pocket the money for themselves...)

Re:They're "settling" their big California case

[Actually, I do RTFA]

It's especially bad for SS & Medicare.

Only if people cheat at reporting. And given 1099s, they cannot make much from Uber while cheating. Contractors are required to pay both the employee and the employer portions of SS & Medicare.

Re:They're "settling" their big California case

[EmptyHead]

Shouldn't they have day jobs? I thought this Uber was supposed to augment incomes. Hoping to make ends meet with driving a car around as a sole source of income is quite the panacea in this day and age.

This has nothing to do with the Driver.. Read TFA

[GrabbaTheButt]

Even the quickest of skimming TFA and you will see its talking about passengers using the carpool offerings of lyft and uber to hook up with other passengers, not with the driver.

All this ranting about uber treating their contractors as employees are completely misplaced in this thread. I guess at this point I should fail to be surprised.

Re:This has nothing to do with the Driver.. Read T

[Gussington]

Even the quickest of skimming TFA and you will see its talking about passengers using the carpool offerings of lyft and uber to hook up with other passengers, not with the driver.

And if you had've read the whole summary, all 4 lines of it, you would see the quote from the actual policy specifically mention drivers.

All this ranting about uber treating their contractors as employees are completely misplaced in this thread. I guess at this point I should fail to be surprised.

The irony is delicious.

Competition

[radarskiy]

Uber just doesn't want competition for their upcoming Car Dating feature where they will be able to get a cut.

Extra $100 for a guaranteed Car Date match, amirite?

Re:Competition

[Anonymous Coward]

Uber just doesn't want competition for their upcoming Car Dating feature where they will be able to get a cut.

Extra $100 for a guaranteed Car Date match, amirite?

Cardate: I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Supply and demand. Free-market Basics

[Anonymous Coward]

Clearly they are not meeting their customers needs, so someone else will step up. This is how businesses die: Ignoring your customers.

Re: Yeah, Europe's got stronger worker protections

[Anonymous Coward]

Thanks for that completely unrelated reply apropos of nothing, weird racist nutjob! (since random nutjobs like playing semantics yes, racist, the meaning includes your case)

It has nothing to do with racism

[rsilvergun]

and it's completely apropos. This is the problem the left has right now. We can't face things head on. I'm not saying we kick the Muslims out, force them to assimilate, or any such. Hell, I'm not saying _anything_ right now. I'm just pointing out a situation that's bad. It's a problem, and ignoring it isn't going to make it go away. That sort of attitude is what got us Trump :(...

Re: It has nothing to do with racism

[Anonymous Coward]

Take your meds.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Great Idea

[Anonymous Coward]

This gives me a great idea for how to get your side, side hustle on: pimpin' from yo' Prius. Just drive around San Fran with wunna yo' bitches in the back seat until some coked-up tech playa requests a pickup.

Women are to blame

[Anonymous Coward]

Women have no problem judging others by how they dress and treat them accordingly but can't stand when the same is done to them. Hypocrites.

Employees or Contractors?

[holophrastic]

Doesn't sound like Uber would have any right to govern contractors. I guess it's settled. Employees all the way.