Uber Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Below Average
Tracks every trip with precise location data, shares with insurers and advertisers, and retains data long after you stop riding.
Source: https://www.uber.com/legal/en/document/?name=general-terms-of-use
Location Data
Precise GPS location before, during, and after rides. Background location collection even when the app isn't in use if permissions are granted.
Trip & Transaction History
Complete history of every ride, Uber Eats order, payment, tip, rating, and route taken.
Device & Sensor Data
Accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS data used to detect driving behavior. Battery level, mobile carrier, and connection type.
Contact Information
Phone number, email, saved addresses (home, work), and emergency contacts.
Identity Verification
Government ID, selfie photos for identity matching, and in some markets, facial recognition data.
Insurance & Safety Profiling
Trip data shared with insurance companies and used to assess risk profiles. Driving behavior data from sensor readings informs safety scores.
Advertising & Marketing
Location and trip data used for targeted advertising. Uber's advertising division uses rider behavior to sell ads to restaurants and retailers.
Dynamic Pricing
Your location, trip history, and demand patterns feed surge pricing algorithms that determine what you pay.
Third-Party Data Sharing
Data shared with restaurant partners (Eats), payment processors, mapping providers, and city transportation authorities.
Binding Arbitration
HIGH RISK“You agree that disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement will be resolved by binding, individual arbitration.”
This means: No class action lawsuits. Given Uber's history of widespread issues (surge pricing, driver classification, data breaches), this clause shields them from collective accountability.
Location Data Consent
HIGH RISK“You consent to our collection, use, and sharing of your location data for the purposes described in our Privacy Notice.”
This means: Using Uber means accepting continuous location tracking. The tracking extends beyond active rides and feeds advertising and insurance data.
Liability Limitation
MEDIUM RISK“In no event shall Uber's total liability to you exceed the amounts paid by you to Uber during the 6 months prior to the event giving rise to the claim.”
This means: Uber's maximum financial responsibility to you is capped at what you've spent in the last 6 months, regardless of the severity of the incident.
Delete your account
Yes — account deletion available through the app. Process can take up to 30 days.
Data retention
Uber retains trip records, financial data, and safety incident data for up to 7 years for legal and regulatory compliance.
Data portability
Privacy Settings allows you to download your data. Includes trip history and account information.
Background location collection
Uber has been caught collecting location data even when the app is closed. A 2017 FTC settlement addressed deceptive location tracking practices.
Industry context: Lyft collects location only during and shortly after trips. Uber's persistent tracking is more aggressive than its direct competitor.
7-year data retention
Even after deleting your account, Uber keeps trip data for up to 7 years. That's 7 years of location history, payment records, and behavioral data.
Industry context: Most ride-sharing alternatives retain data for 1-3 years. Uber's 7-year retention is among the longest in the industry.
Data shared with insurance companies
Your ride history and sensor data may influence insurance risk assessments. Frequent late-night rides or trips to certain locations could theoretically affect premiums.
Industry context: Most consumer apps don't share behavioral data with insurers. Uber's insurance partnerships create a direct financial impact on users.
Uber knows where you go, when, how often, and shares that with advertisers and insurers. The 7-year data retention means your ride history persists long after you stop using the service. Background location tracking and sensor data collection go beyond what's needed for ride-hailing. If you use Uber, minimize location permissions (only 'While Using'), regularly delete trip history, and understand that your mobility data has significant commercial value.
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