Uber's $324 Million GDPR Violation Fine: A Major Data Mishandling Incident
Uber's Historic Fine for Driver Data Mishandling
Uber has been hit with a massive fine for violating Europe's GDPR laws. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) announced Uber will pay €290 million, or approximately $325 million, due to failure to adequately protect driver data during transfers outside the EU.
Details of the Data Protection Violation
- Sensitive data collection: Uber collected sensitive information, including account details, licenses, and personal identification.
- Data stored on US servers without proper transfer tools.
- Violation traceable to a complaint from 170 French drivers.
Broader Implications for Tech Companies
This isn't Uber's first encounter with data privacy regulations. In recent years, the company has faced multiple fines, including €600,000 for a data breach in 2018 and €10 million in 2023.
Other tech giants, like Amazon and Meta, have also felt the EU's heavy hand, receiving significant penalties for data privacy violations. Uber aims to appeal this ruling, promising steps to improve data protection practices moving forward.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.