Consumer Watchdog Files Complaint With FTC Over Uber's Alleged User App Tracking

Consumer Watchdog filed a formal complaint with the FTC claiming Uber deceptively tracked its app users after they deleted the app from their iPhones, said John Simpson, the public interest group's Privacy Project director, Thursday. In the complaint, Simpson said the commission should first must make sure that users who have deleted the app aren't being tracked and then enjoin Uber from engaging in the practice. The FTC also should make sure that the company's privacy policy "accurately and clearly describes" its actual practices, which Simpson said it likely doesn't. The complaint stems from a recent story by The New York Times that said Uber "had been secretly identifying and tagging iPhones even after its app had been deleted and the devices erased" and hiding the practice from Apple. "It is important that the Commission take a position to block this unfair and deceptive activity, for based on the company's record it is likely to engage in the activity again," wrote Simpson. The iPhone app is the main focus, but Consumer Watchdog said the FTC also should review the Android app to see if Uber is conducting similar tracking of users. An Uber spokesperson emailed that the company "absolutely" doesn't track users or their locations if they have deleted the app. "As the New York Times story notes towards the very end, this is a typical way to prevent fraudsters from loading Uber onto a stolen phone, putting in a stolen credit card, taking an expensive ride and then wiping the phone -- over and over again," said the spokesperson, adding that similar techniques are used in detecting and blocking suspicious logins to protect accounts. The spokesperson also said The New York Times allegations date back to early 2015, before Uber hired its first chief security office and centralized all security functions. An FTC spokeswoman confirmed the agency received the complaint but couldn't comment beyond that.