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
canadianreader
79 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
szw-mapple fan
79 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
MH01
79 months ago
Good work apple !!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jakebrosy Avatar
jakebrosy
79 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
neuropsychguy
79 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
coolfactor
79 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)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
Read Full Article • 147 comments
Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
Read Full Article
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
Read Full Article • 99 comments
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports

Thursday September 28, 2023 6:25 am PDT by
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max overheating concerns continue to make headlines this week, with the topic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Both of the reports document anecdotal complaints from customers, and outline potential causes, but it's unclear how many devices are actually affected. Bloomberg said the overheating could be caused or compounded by the iPhone's setup...
Read Full Article • 324 comments
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
Read Full Article • 253 comments
iPhone 15 USB C Port Keynote

Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

Thursday September 28, 2023 2:06 pm PDT by
Apple added a USB-C port to the iPhone 15 lineup this year, allowing it to work with USB-C cables, USB-C power banks, and more. It turns out that some USB-C battery packs are not working properly with Apple's iPhone 15, resulting in charging issues. As highlighted on Reddit and the MacRumors forums, not all existing USB-C power banks can be used with the iPhone 15 models, perhaps due to the...
Read Full Article • 211 comments
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
Read Full Article • 101 comments