Uber App IconUber 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.


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.

Tag: Uber

Top Rated Comments

canadianreader Avatar
72 months ago
They never actually gave us the choice until Apple stepped in. It’s not them who added the location option, it’s Apple.
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.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
szw-mapple fan Avatar
72 months ago
Otherwise known as “Uber trying to do a positive PR spin on a decision that they had nothing to do with.”
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MH01 Avatar
72 months ago
Good work apple !!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jakebrosy Avatar
72 months ago
I laughed when I saw this.

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?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neuropsychguy Avatar
72 months ago
I laughed when I saw this.

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.
I uninstalled Uber due to the location tracking issue (and to the fact that I only use it 1-2x per year at most). However, if you want to get paid for your data you shouldn't use services from Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Google, Microsoft, and so on. You should also generally stay off the web unless you have severe script blocking, cookie blocking, and use a VPN. Even Apple uses your data and they don't pay you for it. Uber was maybe more egregious in their offenses but many things offered for free come with a cost - the smallest of which might be your data.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
72 months ago
They never actually gave us the choice until Apple stepped in. It’s not them who added the location option, it’s Apple.
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.
Yah, regarding the lack of app update notes, that is one of the most annoying things with many popular apps. They have this boilerplate text and never change it from update to update. Do they really think users are that dumb or don't care about knowing what has changed? It really is an insult to their users' intelligence.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro Mock Feature Buttonless

iPhone 15 Pro Max to 'Break Record' for Thinnest Bezels on a Smartphone

Friday March 17, 2023 2:59 am PDT by
The iPhone 15 Pro Max will have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone, beating the record currently held by the Xiaomi 13. That's according to the leaker known as "Ice Universe," who has divulged accurate information about Apple's plans in the past. Both iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have thinner, curved bezels compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, potentially resulting in an Apple...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Launching This Year With These 11 New Features

Monday March 13, 2023 6:47 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 lineup is around six months away, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes are expected for the iPhone 15 Pro models in particular, including a titanium frame and more. Below, we have recapped 11 features rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A17...
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Feature

iPhone 12 Pro vs. 15 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

Friday March 17, 2023 10:29 am PDT by
While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always groundbreaking, new features can begin to stack up over multiple generations. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a three-year-old iPhone 12 Pro. If you are still using an iPhone 12 Pro and are considering upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro when it launches later this year, we have put together a...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Predicted to See First Price Increase Since iPhone X

Wednesday March 15, 2023 7:49 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will likely be more expensive than previous Pro models, according to Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities. In a research note this week, Pu predicted the iPhone 15 Pro models will see a price increase due to several rumored hardware upgrades, including a titanium frame,...
maxresdefault

T-Mobile to Acquire Ryan Reynolds' Mint Mobile Brand

Wednesday March 15, 2023 3:33 pm PDT by
U.S. carrier T-Mobile today announced that it plans to acquire Mint Mobile, the affordable smartphone brand that is promoted by and backed by actor Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert teamed up for a video letting customers know about the coming acquisition. The deal is for Ka'ena Corporation, the parent company of Mint Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and Plum, with T-Mobile paying...
youtube tv

YouTube TV Price Goes Up to $73 Per Month

Thursday March 16, 2023 11:46 am PDT by
YouTube today announced that it is increasing the price of the YouTube TV service, with the cost set to go from $65 to $73 starting today. New members will need to pay $73/month for the streaming service starting now, while prices will increase for existing members on April 18. According to YouTube, the price is increasing because "content costs have risen" and it needs to charge more to...