MANILA, Philippines – Uber released its privacy policy to the public on Tuesday, November 18, and said it is investigating an Uber New York executive over reports that he used his executive access to track a journalist’s location without permission.

Buzzfeed talked to two former Uber employees who said that the company’s corporate employees can track customers using an internal company tool known as “God View.” God View shows an Uber vehicle’s location, as well as the location of a customer requesting a car.

According to the Buzzfeed report, Johana Bhuiyan, a Buzzfeed journalist, took an Uber car to an interview with Josh Mohrer, the general manager of Uber New York. Upon meeting with Bhuiyan, Mohrer said, “There you are.” 

Pointing towards his iPhone, he added, “I was tracking you.” Mohrer tracked Bhuiyan without her consent.

Earlier email conversations between Bhuiyan and Mohrer pointed to Mohrer doing this previously, emailing logs of Bhuiyan’s Uber use, which he accessed without Bhuiyan’s permission.

Uber’s decision to reveal of its privacy policy – which it says has always been in effect – and the investigation of Mohrer follow earlier statements made by Uber’s Senior Vice President for Business Emil Michael about finding information to smear journalists as a potentially sensible measure Uber could take against criticism. – Rappler.com