Uber paid $148 million to settle alleged data breach cover-up
Sometimes the cover-up is costlier than the crime. That was the case in 2018 when Uber paid state regulators $148 million over allegations it attempted to cover up a major 2016 data breach. Rather than disclose that breach, Uber allegedly spent $100,000 to pay off the hackers involved. The data in question reportedly included drivers’ licenses, email addresses, and phone numbers of 57 million riders and drivers. When the dust settled, the dramatic event cost Uber’s chief security officer and an attorney their jobs.
In addition to the fine, Uber agreed to put in place new data security and breach notification policies. Uber was also forced to put in place a corporate integrity program aimed at aiding employees trying to report ethics concerns.
