The many recent discussions of the conspiracies of companies like Google and Facebook accumulating massive amounts of customer data and the problems that could occur from this have become a very popular debate. The endless data feeds they have from the websites we have surfed and applications we use supply them with enormous amounts of data. Now, these internet applications aren’t the only things we have to worry about, we can add Lyft and Uber to that list.
Lyft employees have been accused of abusing access clearances to explore customer information. Not only this, but Lyft employees have been seen tracking customers, ranging from former significant others to famous stars. Along with tracking abilities, some Lyft employees have been found bragging of having well-known figure’s phone numbers. This becomes a significant invasion of privacy and poses great dangers to these innocent customers that are having their information accessed.
It is now no surprise that companies such as Google track some of our less harmful information, but with companies such as Lyft and Google having access to our address, phone numbers, and even current locations is a serious situation that needs to be handled. It is becoming a more common trend to see applications and other services abusing customer data. With all the capabilities that can be achieved in todays day in age with a simple address or phone number, customers must be very important where they put their information on the Internet.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/25/16934064/lyft-customer-data-abuse-allegations
Lyft abusing rider’s information is just another way that an increase in technology is forcing an unsafe world. Lyft drivers are being investigated for abusing their high access to customer data. Recent claims have said that some drivers have been able to find out personal information on Mark Zuckerberg as well as stalk ex-partners of their riders.
Lyft employees are required to sign a confidentiality agreement before their first day, but some of the employees aren’t abiding by it. With such easy access to unlimited information, employees are learning all sorts of information that should never be leaked. This is just another example of how emerging technology is abusing our privacy. Customer’s privacy is completely being ignored despite the confidentiality agreement signed by the employees.
A few years prior Uber had problems with giving their employees too much access to important information. Lyft, along with other similar companies, should have taken their mistakes and learned from them, not make the same mistakes. Breaches happen, but with today’s technology that jeopardizes the safety of thousands of people and is something we cannot tolerate.
https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/25/lyft-investigates-claims-staff-abused-access-to-customer-data/
Lyft isn’t the first ride sharing program to have data breach issues associated with its name. Uber has had quite a few data problems in the past, including incomplete two-factor authentication system, the theft of information from 57 million rider accounts and over half a million drivers’ information, and using industrial espionage technology against Lyft. Two hackers demanded a ransom after obtaining personal data of users. Uber actually met their hackers’ request of $100,000 with a requirement that they keep quiet about the breach.
Other companies, including Lyft, should learn from Uber’s mistakes in the midst of any data breach. Uber should never have paid their attackers or covered up the breach. Instead, they should have immediately notified company stakeholders, law enforcement officials, and accountholders. When storing customers’ personal information, companies must be aware of attackers and their ever-expanding hacking abilities. Until more secure systems are in place customers themselves should also be cautious when sharing information about themselves.
https://www.techrepublic.com/google-amp/article/uber-calls-bug-allowing-hackers-to-bypass-two-factor-authentication-expected-behavior/
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/uber-breach-leaked-personal-data-on-57m-users-and-they-deliberately-covered-it-up/#ftag=CAD-00-10aag7f