Is Uber ethical?

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Wages & economic policy Confirmed

Uber used 50 Dutch Shell companies to avoid taxes

Uber used 50 Dutch Shell companies to avoid taxes on $5.8 billion in revenue.

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slate.com
Because Uber and Lyft treat drivers as independent businesses, rather than employees covered by workplace laws, the report estimates that in Massachusetts in 2023 alone, the two companies avoided paying approximately $47 million in unemployment taxes, workers’ compensation, and paid family and medical leave insurance.
businessinsider.com
Uber Used 50 Dutch Shell Companies to Avoid Taxes on $5.8 Billion Revenue: Report - Business Insider
Uber had previously disclosed details about its Dutch tax haven in 2019, when it moved its intellectual property from Bermuda to the Netherlands, but CICTAR's research sheds more light on how the company has structured its network of shell companies.
icij.org
The leaked files, corporate records and research by financial experts paint a different picture of Uber’s contribution to India’s economy. They show how the company devised ways to lower its tax bill, fought tax authorities in court and used Dutch subsidiaries to conduct its main business activities in India.

Ukraine & Russia Confirmed

Uber provided free transportation services to Ukrainian refugees

Throughout the crisis in Ukraine, ITA’s U.S. Commercial Service team at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, worked closely with Uber, the popular ride-hailing service, to identify and launch a range of initiatives which included providing free transportation services to refugees and delivering frontline emergency services and supplies.

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adweek.com
“Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Uber has funded 500,000-plus rides to bring refugees to safety, doctors to hospitals, and relief aid to frontline communities—all thanks to courageous drivers,” said Julia Paige, senior director of global social impact from Uber.
fastcompany.com
Uber has provided a number of services in Ukraine since Russia began its full-scale military invasion on the nation in February, including more than 100,000 free rides for refugees, displaced families, and aid workers. The company said it’s raised more than $5 million in charitable donations so far from both users and grants.
Uber has provided a number of services in Ukraine since Russia began its full-scale military invasion on the nation in February, including more than 100,000 free rides for refugees.
mediapost.com
“Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Uber has funded 500,000+ rides to bring refugees to safety, doctors to hospitals, and relief aid to frontline communities — all thanks to courageous drivers,” said Julia Paige, senior director of global social impact from Uber.
trade.gov
“The Commercial Service team at the Warsaw embassy has been an absolutely essential partner in Uber’s work to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
With guidance from our team, Uber has provided free transportation for Ukrainian refugees crossing into Poland from border checkpoints to major cities where accommodation and key support services are concentrated.
Throughout the crisis in Ukraine, ITA’s U.S. Commercial Service team at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, worked closely with Uber, the popular ride-hailing service, to identify and launch a range of initiatives which included providing free transportation services to refugees and delivering frontline emergency services and supplies.
Uber Provides Transportation for Ukraine Refugees
United Ukraine Local Support Uber

Political spending Confirmed

Uber gave $1 million to the Trump inauguration fund

Uber and Its CEO Give $1 Million to Trump Inauguration.

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politicalwire.com
Uber and Its CEO Give $1 Million to Trump Inauguration

Ukraine & Russia Confirmed

Uber raises $10M for Ukraine via matching grants

Uber raised $10 million for Ukraine through rider donations and its own matching grants.

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adweek.com
In addition to its on-the-ground relief efforts, Uber has also raised over $10 million to date for aid to Ukraine from rider donations worldwide and the company’s own matching grants.
mediapost.com
In addition to its on-the-ground relief efforts, Uber has also raised over $10 million to date for aid to Ukraine from rider donations worldwide and the company’s own matching grants.
Uber Supports Ukraine And Its Drivers In New Campaign 09/25/2023

Political spending Confirmed

Uber to donate $1 million to police reform

Uber CEO announced the company's intent to donate $1 million to police reform initiatives.

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finance.yahoo.com
Uber To Donate $1M To Groups That Make 'Criminal Justice In America More Just,' Says CEO Khosrowshahi
businessinsider.com
Uber CEO: Company to Donate $1 Million to Police Reform - Business Insider
insidephilanthropy.com
New donations are coming in fast, including $1 million from Netflix’s Reed Hastings, $1 million from Uber that CPE will split with the Equal Justice Initiative, and $1 million from YouTube.

Health policy Confirmed

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi argued against a vaccine mandate for drivers

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the decision to require office employees to be vaccinated, but not drivers.

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cnbc.com
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the decision to require office employees to be vaccinated, but not drivers.

Ukraine & Russia Confirmed

Uber honors Ukraine's heroic drivers

Uber honored Ukraine's heroic drivers through its Times Square Campaign.

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adweek.com
Uber’s Times Square Campaign Honors Ukraine’s Heroic Drivers

Health policy Confirmed

Uber proposes limits on out-of-network payments

Uber proposed limits on out-of-network payments based on a state law capping them at 125% of Medicare reimbursement rates.

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usnews.com
Uber based its proposed limits on a state law that caps payments to out-of-network providers at 125% of Medicare reimbursement rates, said Uber spokesperson Zahid Arab in an email.

Ukraine & Russia Confirmed

Uber developed and donated software for UN food delivery in Ukraine

Uber developed and donated a version of its software to help the United Nations' World Food Program deliver food in Ukraine.

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learningenglish.voanews.com
Ride-sharing company Uber developed and donated a version of its software to help the United Nations' World Food Program deliver food in cities in Ukraine.
The software version Uber developed for the WFP will permit the U.N. organization to deliver food aid in smaller vehicles in highly populated areas in Ukraine. It has been difficult for some of the WFP’s larger vehicles to safely make deliveries in Ukrainian cities.
Ride-sharing company Uber has developed and donated a version of its software to help the United Nations deliver food in Ukraine.
news.un.org
“We thank Uber for helping us deliver critical humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.

Political spending Confirmed

Dara Khosrowshahi contributes $1 million to Trump inauguration

Dara Khosrowshahi contributed $1 million to Donald Trump's inauguration committee.

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thedailybeast.com
Uber Technologies and the group’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, have contributed $1 million each to Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration in January, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Climate & energy Confirmed

Dara Khosrowshahi appears in White House climate video

Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi appeared in a White House promotional video for legislation criticized as anti-environmental.

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latimes.com
This included Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi appearing in a White House promotional video for the legislation, which the League of Conservation Voters called “the most anti-environmental bill of all time.”

Workplace equity Confirmed

Uber drops diversity mention from annual report

Uber removes diversity reference from its latest annual report.

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sfexaminer.com
Uber drops mention of diversity from latest annual report | Technology | sfexaminer.com

Wages & economic policy Confirmed

Uber clarifies Philadelphia service usage

Uber spokesperson Jazmin Kay addressed a misconception about who uses Uber in Philadelphia.

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inquirer.com
“There’s a clear misconception among some policymakers about who uses Uber in Philadelphia,” said Uber spokesperson Jazmin Kay.

Wages & economic policy Confirmed

Uber stepped up lobbying campaign

Uber stepped up its lobbying campaign and threatened to pull out of Minneapolis.

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gizmodo.com
That ordinance, which Uber and Lyft threatened to leave over, would’ve forced the companies to pay Minneapolis drivers $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute during rides.
nypost.com
Uber and Lyft threatened to halt operations in Minneapolis if the mayor doesn’t veto a new rule proposed Thursday that sets a minimum wage for rideshare drivers.
kqed.org
After gains by the drivers, Uber and Lyft stepped up their lobbying campaign and threatened to pull out of Minneapolis.
npr.org
After gains by the drivers, Uber and Lyft stepped up their lobbying campaign and threatened to pull out of Minneapolis.
nyc.gov
“New York’s Uber and Lyft drivers continue to struggle to make ends meet amid soaring costs, so these cost of living increases are desperately needed Our Guild led a years-long campaign for New York to enact the nation’s first minimum pay rates for rideshare drivers and we appreciate Commissioner Do acting promptly to enforce these wage standards,” said Brendan Sexton, president of the Independent Drivers Guild, a Machinists Union affiliate which represents and advocates for more than 300,000 rideshare drivers.

LGBTQ+ policies Confirmed

Uber earns top score on HRC's Corporate Equality Index

Uber earned top scores on all three HRC Corporate Equality measures in the 2021 index.

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downloads.regulations.gov
4/27/22, 9:56 AM Corporate Equality Index 2021 - HRC Digital Reports https://reports.hrc.org/corporate-equality-index-2021?_ga=2.206988627.1166715317.1639876655-819100514.1639876655 19/91 The following 12 companies have the distinction of earning top scores on all three of HRC's Corporate Equality measures: the Corporate Equality Index, Equidad MX and Equidad CL: Accenture• BASF• Boston Consulting Group• Deloitte• IBM• JPMorgan Chase & Co.• McKinsey & Co.• P&G• SAP• Sodexo• Uber• Walmart•

Climate & energy Confirmed

Uber drops climate references from investor update

Uber removed climate-related content from its yearly investor update.

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sfexaminer.com
Uber drops climate mentions from yearly investor update | Technology | sfexaminer.com

Ukraine & Russia Confirmed

Uber — supports ukraine

Consumers so far have donated $250,000 via “Keep Ukraine Moving,” and Uber is matching donations up to $1 million.

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fastcompany.com
How Uber raised $1.5 million to help Ukraine - Fast Company
Consumers so far have donated $250,000 via “Keep Ukraine Moving,” and Uber is matching donations up to $1 million.

Wages & economic policy Confirmed

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi — minimum pay requirements

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said he’s expecting a “positive outcome” from a potential vote this week in Seattle to move forward with a proposal that would revise recently implemented minimum pay requirements for food delivery drivers.

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geekwire.com
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said he’s expecting a “positive outcome” from a potential vote this week in Seattle to move forward with a proposal that would revise recently implemented minimum pay requirements for food delivery drivers.