British drivers sue Uber for algorithmic accountability

Drivers have filed suit against Uber, alleging the ride-hailing company failed to provide access to data and an explanation of algorithmic management. The lawsuit was initiated by the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU), based in the UK, before a court in Amsterdam, where Uber’s European headquarters is situated. The drivers, working in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Glasgow, are asking for their data to be sent directly to their union for collective bargain. They claim that the company has been violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The union requests that the drivers have full transparency over algorithmic management and complete access to their data. The complaint states that Uber has not given complete access to the drivers’ personal data or sufficient information on the automated decision-making and profiling undertaken by the app. Also, it alleges that Uber drivers are subject to performance monitoring at work and that the ride-hailing company has profiled workers in categories such as late arrivals, missed rides, canceled rides, and inappropriate behavior.