I am a longtime Uber lover and user. Without fail any trip I have taken to the United States has involved the use of Uber for getting around over hiring a car or catching a taxi.
I am currently in the US on a three month trip and for the last two months I have been using Uber almost on a daily basis. In-fact, I have racked up more Uber rides the last two months than I have in the last two years combined (which is a lot).
But after the recent remarks from SVP (senior vice president) of Business for Uber, Emil Michael making threatening comments about journalist Sarah Lacy of Pando Daily because he felt like Uber was being targeted, it is at that point I realised I have been too tolerant of Uber and its questionable business ethics and attitudes towards women and its customers, according to Uber women have to good look, use make-up all the time, and why not breast enhancement creams so we’re more attractive for men. We all have.
This sadly is not Uber’s first controversial time in the spotlight. The company has had more scandals and controversies than a lead actor in a soap opera in the last two years. Remember the time that it was revealed Uber had a playbook of sorts for sabotaging their competitor Lyft?
I believe the service is great and while I have not had any overly bad experience using the service itself, I refuse to fund a company so morally bankrupt and misogynistically driven. It seems Uber has a problem that extends right down to its roots: the executives tasked with steering the ship that is Uber.
Things need to change. It is obvious there is undoubtedly a culture of misogyny and outdated attitude towards women in Silicon Valley. The Uber board and its investors need to take a stand, Emil Michael needs to be held accountable for his statements, whether they were on or off the record.
Uber have just lost themselves a customer and from now on I will be using their competitors offerings instead. I tried out Lyft for the first time the other day and I must say, I was impressed with their application, service and ability to tip drivers (handy when you want to tip for a driver helping with your luggage and have no cash on you).
