Ex-Uber Security Staff Confirm ‘God View’ Still Intact

Almost two years after Uber claimed its “God view” was defunct, former security staff members confirm that the function is still being used and violates consumer privacy.

The company’s internal tool called “God view,” which enables tracking customers, made headlines back in 2014 when it was reported that a reporter’s ride was tracked without her permission and a senior executive suggested digging into the private lives of journalists that wrote negatively about the company.

Two former Uber employees told BuzzFeed News that the capability, which was made widely available to corporate employees, showed the location of any Uber vehicle and customer who requested a vehicle. After privacy concerns, the company said it restricted access to the tool, but new reports say otherwise.

Ward Spangenberg, a former forensic investigator for Uber, who is now suing the company for wrongful termination, said that the company is still violating the privacy of its customers.

“Uber’s lack of security regarding its customer data was resulting in Uber employees being able to track high-profile politicians, celebrities and even personal acquaintances of Uber employees, including ex-boyfriends/girlfriends and ex-spouses,” Spangenberg wrote in a court declaration, Reveal reported.

Five former Uber security professionals told Reveal that Uber still permits broad access within the company to the tracking tool.

Spangenberg claimed he was fired after objecting to many company practices that he felt violated privacy laws, including deleting files it was legally obligated to keep and encrypting systems to prevent authorities from accessing information.

“I also reported that Uber’s lack of security and allowing all employees to access this information (as opposed to a small security team) was resulting in a violation of governmental regulations regarding data protection and consumer privacy rights,” he stated in the declaration.