Uber Settle for a Whopping $148 Million Over 2016 Data Slip‑Up
Uber’s latest scandal lands the ride‑share giant in front of the law (and a hefty bill). In a blow‑up that could make even the most seasoned tech journalist gasp, the company agreed to pay a $148 million settlement for secretly rolling back a huge data breach that unfolded in 2016.
What Happened?
- Did you know? 57 million Uber accounts were exposed—yep, that includes 600,000 drivers’ license numbers.
- Instead of waving a red flag, Uber hushed the breach, covered up evidence, and tossed a $100,000 ransom to whomever the hackers were.
- The mishandling earned the company a 10‑month scrutiny from state regulators.
California Attorney General’s Take
The Texas‑sized outrage？ California’s attorney general, Xavier Becerra, called the cover‑up “a blatant violation of the public’s trust.” He added:
“The company failed to safeguard user data and notify authorities when it was exposed. Consistent with its corporate culture at the time, Uber swept the breach under the rug in deliberate disregard of the law.”
All States, All Agreements
Uber has now signed a deal with all 50 states plus the District of Columbia to resolve the mess. It seems business has finally caught up with Uber’s reckless side.
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