Uber has updated its iOS app to fall in line with new options in iOS 11 that let users limit an app's use of location services (via The Verge).
With iOS 11 installed, it's possible to restrict the gathering of location data by any third-party app so that it can only access the device's location status when the app is in use.
Uber has faced criticism in the past for tracking users' location even when they aren't using the service, while offering them only a binary choice of either allowing always-on tracking or turning it off altogether.
Uber had argued that the tracking enhanced rider safety and said it restricted tracking to five minutes following a ride anyway, but many users cited the policy as a privacy concern.
Good: with iOS 11, Uber had to support Location Services that monitor location only when using the app (This: https://t.co/SSf501S81d) pic.twitter.com/Oa7M0QXR3I — Federico Viticci (@viticci) September 20, 2017
With the latest update however, Uber has highlighted the fact that users can elect to share their location "While Using the App", "Always", or "Never". These options can be found in the Settings app under Privacy -> Location Services -> Uber.
These permissions override any third-party app's settings, which should address users' concerns regarding similar behavior.
Top Rated Comments
Uber is arrogant and not customer friendly even in their updates they don’t detail what bugs they’ve fixed or what enhancements they brought to their app it has become just like Facebook.
I stopped using Uber when the app was updated to include all-the-time-tracking. I don't DO anything I need to hide, but if you're going to get the data you need to pay me for it.
What's funny is that - at this point - with all the sh*t we've heard about Uber I can't imagine a scenario where I'd go back to them. I have the perfect combo of Curb for taxis and the combined Gett/Juno service.
And that's really the problem for Uber now isn't it? If I had never removed Uber I would not have looked for alternatives. And now that I have a solution there's no reason to consider Uber again.
I wonder how many other customers they lost over the location issue?