Until recently, Uber users had the option of allowing location services to work only while the app is being used. This gave users the option of allowing Uber to track your location while using the app, but not while the app is not running. Running location services at all times drains battery life and causes privacy concerns - after all, who wants a company to keep track of your whereabouts at all times?
Uber recently changed its policy to offer users a binary choice - either "opt in" and allow location services to run at all times, even while not using the app, or decline to allow location services altogether, which severely compromises the effectiveness of the app.
By removing the third option (only allowing location tracking while using the app), Uber is forcing customers to allow it to constantly track your whereabouts as a condition of using their services. This is not only a battery drain, it is kind of creepy.
Uber attempts to justify its policy shift by citing new features it may offer as a result of this new information. Yet Uber's policy ignores the simple fact that its users should have the freedom to choose whether they want to be tracked by Uber 100% of the time.
In fact, we do have freedom to choose. Pledge to stop using Uber until it reverses this misguided policy.
