• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

3

Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

3

Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
Uber Technologies

Uber knows a lot about you, so what can it do with that information?

By
Laura Lorenzetti
Laura Lorenzetti
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Laura Lorenzetti
Laura Lorenzetti
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 18, 2014, 3:07 PM ET
Barcelona Cabs Strike Against Uber Taxi App
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 01: In this photo illustration the new smart phone taxi app 'Uber' shows how to select a pick up location in Las Ramblas street on July 1, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. Taxi drivers in various cities have been on strike over unlicensed car-hailing services. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)Photograph by David Ramos—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

When you signed up for Uber, just like for most mobile apps, you clicked “yes” to its Terms of Service. Among the long paragraphs of legalese you probably read was the company’s privacy policy.

As a maelstrom rages over an Uber executive’s statements regarding recent media coverage, many may be wondering how far the company can go with all the information at its digital fingertips.

The quick answer: it’s complicated.

Essentially, Uber collects basic user data (your name, e-mail and credit card information) as well geo-location data. The company uses that for a range of “internal business purposes,” which could be interpreted broadly.

Now for the long answer.

Privacy policies are not legally required on a federal level unless you’re in a regulated industry such as healthcare, or financial services, although some states — California, for example — have laws on the books that demand them.

Apps like Uber fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission, which can sue companies over deceptive policies if they feel an organization lacks a needed, or sufficient, privacy policy, said Lisa Sotto, a privacy and cybersecurity lawyer at Hunton & Williams.

Uber’s nearly 6,000-word privacy policy is as long as most go, and not the easiest to understand, said Sotto. “They’ve done significant due diligence to put this together,” she said.

For comparison, Lyft’s privacy policy is about 2,000 words, Facebook’s (FB) policy is about 5,300 words and Apple’s (AAPL) is just over 3,000 words.

A typical privacy policy provides information on the data that’s collected, to whom it’s disclosed and the security in place to protect that information. Uber’s policy touches on each of those topics in depth, although the language leaves room for interpretation.


“The policy statement has been carefully crafted,” said Sotto. “So if it’s vague, it’s vague for a reason.”

So, what information does Uber collect, and what does the company say it can do with that information?

  • Uber collects a user’s name, email, password, mobile phone number, zip code and billing information at sign-up. In addition, it tracks where you are via geo-location and keeps a log of all your trips.
  • It uses that information “to determine the charge for the transportation you requested via our services, to provide you with support, to send you promotions and offers, to enhance our services and for our internal business purposes.”
  • Uber may also “from time to time” supplement user information with outside records from third parties.
  • The company says it may share anonymized data with third parties for industry analysis, and it may provide its vendors with personal information to carry out services, such as using an independent payment processor. Uber doesn’t take responsibility for the privacy practices of those third-party vendors.
  • Uber will store your personal information and usage data, including geo-location, for as long as an account is active as well as after it’s terminated for as long “as needed to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations … and for other business reason[s].”
  • This is a top-line summary of Uber’s policy. The full 6,000-plus word rundown is available on the company’s website.

    About the Author
    By Laura Lorenzetti
    See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
    Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

    Latest in

    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025

    Most Popular

    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Finance
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
    By Fortune Editors
    October 20, 2025
    Fortune Secondary Logo
    Rankings
    • 100 Best Companies
    • Fortune 500
    • Global 500
    • Fortune 500 Europe
    • Most Powerful Women
    • World's Most Admired Companies
    • See All Rankings
    • Lists Calendar
    Sections
    • Finance
    • Fortune Crypto
    • Features
    • Leadership
    • Health
    • Commentary
    • Success
    • Retail
    • Mpw
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • CEO Initiative
    • Asia
    • Politics
    • Conferences
    • Europe
    • Newsletters
    • Personal Finance
    • Environment
    • Magazine
    • Education
    Customer Support
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Customer Service Portal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Single Issues For Purchase
    • International Print
    Commercial Services
    • Advertising
    • Fortune Brand Studio
    • Fortune Analytics
    • Fortune Conferences
    • Business Development
    • Group Subscriptions
    About Us
    • About Us
    • Press Center
    • Work At Fortune
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Site Map
    • About Us
    • Press Center
    • Work At Fortune
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Site Map
    • Facebook icon
    • Twitter icon
    • LinkedIn icon
    • Instagram icon
    • Pinterest icon

    Latest in

    Current price of Bitcoin for July 1, 2026
    Personal FinanceCryptocurrency
    Current price of Bitcoin for July 1, 2026
    By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
    1 hour ago
    Current price of Ethereum for July 1, 2026
    Personal FinanceEthereum
    Current price of Ethereum for July 1, 2026
    By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
    1 hour ago
    Top CD rates from major banks July 1, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
    Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
    Top CD rates from major banks on July 1, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
    By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
    1 hour ago
    DHL plane being refuelled at airport by man in high-vis jacket
    EnergyAviation
    The Iran conflict saw jet fuel prices soar—when you use 1.88 million tonnes a year, how you respond really matters (just ask DHL)
    By Sam ForsdickJuly 1, 2026
    1 hour ago
    Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
    Personal FinanceOil
    Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
    By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
    2 hours ago
    In this photo illustration, a Cisco logo is displayed on a smartphone with Artificial Intellingence (AI) symbols in the background.
    AICFO Daily
    Cisco is rolling out AI agents to every single one of its 90,000 employees
    By Sheryl EstradaJuly 1, 2026
    2 hours ago

    Most Popular

    MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
    Success
    MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
    By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
    6 days ago
    Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
    Success
    Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
    By Preston ForeJune 27, 2026
    4 days ago
    Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
    Success
    Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
    By Sydney LakeJune 29, 2026
    2 days ago
    The U.S. Army is opening military bases to private billions — here's why that changes everything for the next 250 years
    Commentary
    The U.S. Army is opening military bases to private billions — here's why that changes everything for the next 250 years
    By Marc AndersenJune 30, 2026
    1 day ago
    Current price of oil as of June 30 2026
    Personal Finance
    Current price of oil as of June 30 2026
    By Joseph HostetlerJune 30, 2026
    1 day ago
    As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
    Big Tech
    As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
    By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 1, 2026
    7 hours ago

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.