Overview

The 2022 Uber Files Leak is a collection of over 124,000 leaked files about Uber's business activities from 2013 to 2017. The files were leaked to the British newspaper The Guardian on July 10, 2022, which then shared the files with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). It was revealed that Uber broke laws, mistreated drivers, and lobbied governments and politicians worldwide to advance business interests. The leak sparked protests and calls to investigate Uber's lobbying activities.

Background

Uber used various tactics to aid the company's worldwide expansion. The company used a "kill switch" to shut down computers and hide data when Uber's offices were raided by government agencies. Uber lobbied politicians to pass laws that favored the company. The leaked files revealed attempts to lobby Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, George Osborne, and Emmanuel Macron. Texts between Emmanuel Macron (who was the French Economy minister at the time) and Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick suggested that Macron secretly helped Uber expand in France. Travis Kalanick during the 2015 French taxi protests was quoted saying:

I think it's worth it

Violence guarantees success

Developments

Jill Hazelbaker, Uber's senior vice-president of public affairs, issued the following statement:

"We have not and will not make excuses for past behavior that is clearly not in line with our present values. Instead, we ask the public to judge us by what we’ve done over the last five years and what we will do in the years to come"

Travis Kalanick’s spokesperson said that Kalanick:

"Never authorized any actions or programs that would obstruct justice in any country" and that he "never suggested that Uber should take advantage of violence at the expense of driver safety"

Emmanuel Macron's ties to Uber has prompted criticism from French opposition politicians. Macron dismissed criticism of his past ties with Uber, saying that he was very proud of working with Uber and that thousands of jobs were created in the process. Irish lobbyist Mark MacGann later revealed himself to be the whistleblower behind the Uber Files leak.

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