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New Uber CEO Knew of Hack for Months (wsj.com)

Greg Bensinger and Robert McMillan, reporting for the WSJ: While the massive data breach at Uber didn't happen under the watch of its new chief executive, more than two months elapsed before he notified affected customers and drivers of the incident (Editor's note: the link may be paywalled), people familiar with the matter said. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi learned of the breach, which Uber said happened in October 2016 and affected some 57 million accounts, about two weeks after he officially took the helm on Sept. 5, one of the people said. Mr. Khosrowshahi said he immediately ordered an investigation, which he wanted to complete before making the matter public. About three weeks ago, though, Uber disclosed the investigation and the broad outlines of the breach to SoftBank, which is considering a multibillion-dollar investment in the ride-hailing company, according to other people familiar with the matter. Uber officials, including its chief security officer, knew at the time of the breach that personal information had been accessed. Uber only informed customers and drivers on Tuesday.

27 comments

  1. Uber launched a new investigation today by phantomfive · · Score: 5, Funny

    Uber today has announced a new internal company investigation, to discover which part of their company is not operating illegally and unethically.

    "There must be something in there that's good, we intend to find it" said CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, "I mean, even Stalin wasn't pure evil, his mustache was downright luscious."

    Laughter from Andreesen Horowitz was heard to inexplicably ring out all across downtown Palo Alto. Stalin could not be reached for his comment. His grandaughter was too busy wielding firearms, and didn't care.

    --
    "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    1. Re:Uber launched a new investigation today by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      they were worried that people would consider the hack to be an "uber hack"

    2. Re:Uber launched a new investigation today by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Uber today has announced a new internal company investigation, to discover which part of their company is not operating illegally and unethically.

      In other news, speeding tickets are going to be issued at the Indy 500.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  2. Re:Unless anyone's got him on camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    >Uber = bad, Trump = bad, therefore Uber = Trump.

    Your crippling TDS aside, just about the only person in Silicon Valley who doesn't hate Trump is Peter Thiel, and he's being systematically excommunicated.

  3. 2 months ago? So did he tell Softbank? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Softbank have just invested $10 billion into Uber. Were they aware of this hack before the investment was made?

    If not, then there are some very serious questions to be answered by Uber.

  4. Obligation to notify? by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 2

    Isn't there any obligation on the part of the company responsible for storing this data (i.e. Uber)? In the Netherlands (and from 2018 in all of Europe), companies must report large scale data breaches to the relevant national authorities within 72 hours or they are subject to serious fines. In addition, if the data breach is likely to have an impact on personal privacy, the affected individuals must be informed "without undue delay".

    --
    If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    1. Re:Obligation to notify? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Never heard of them. Perhaps if they didn't have nanny-state interference like this and relied on THE FREE MARKET they'd be an actual economic force.
      --
      roman_mir

    2. Re:Obligation to notify? by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      In a free market, you wouldn't hear about the breach and thus be happy, for what you don't know never happened, and if you shut your eyes, nobody can see you.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    3. Re:Obligation to notify? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In a free market you wouldn't have to disclose your life story to a cab company to get a ride.

    4. Re:Obligation to notify? by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 1

      Says who? And who would enforce this? Is this supposed to be accomplished through magical "self-regulation"?

    5. Re:Obligation to notify? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > In a free market you wouldn't have to disclose your life story to a cab company to get a ride.

      What, you mean because there'll be 5 cars waiting to give you a ride, wasting social resources and polluting the environment? And all with a sub-minimum-wage driver? Great, where do I sign up?

    6. Re: Obligation to notify? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Says the originals cab drivers who drive people around anonymously before uber ever was a twinkle in his eye,

  5. Re:Unless anyone's got him on camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Uber = bad, Trump = TRAITOR FTFY

  6. Accountability by houghi · · Score: 1

    As long as there is no accountability for anything, there will be no change. Kids do not stop stealing cookies just because their mom so.

    --
    Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    1. Re: Accountability by Brockmire · · Score: 1

      Depends on the mom.

  7. Wrong tense by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    Uber disclosed the investigation and the broad outlines of the breach to SoftBank, which was considering a multibillion-dollar investment in the ride-hailing company

    FTFY.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    1. Re: Wrong tense by Brockmire · · Score: 1

      At some point, their ability to survive all these scandals will be an attractive feature.

  8. Consistency by namgge · · Score: 2

    For several years I've found it useful, when wondering what the most immoral approach to any business issue is, to ask "What would Uber do?".

    It's reassuring to learn that this rule-of-thumb works as well for data protection as it does in so many other areas (employment practices, tax avoidance, setting fares, etc.)

  9. Uber motto: Evil From Tge Top Down by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What more does anyone need to know?

    Be wary hiring anyone with Uber on their resume.

    Ethical people don't work long term for unethical companies.

    1. Re: Uber motto: Evil From Tge Top Down by Brockmire · · Score: 1

      Spelling. People need to know spelling.

  10. Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. by stabiesoft · · Score: 1

    Who knew The Who knew decades ago.

    1. Re:Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. by e432776 · · Score: 1

      Was going to post just that song title, glad to see you did an even better job already.
      Is Uber redeemable as a corporate entity? Seems like things are not changing much, new CEO or not- bad headlines weekly.

      Perhaps its time for the corporate death penalty, disband this org.

    2. Re:Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

      I'm from Zimbabwe, you insensitive clod!

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  11. Uber should be shut down by WCMI92 · · Score: 1

    It's a criminal enterprise from the get go. There is nothing about the company that is legitimate.

    --
    Corporatism != Free Market