Lyft is reportedly looking into allegations that employees violated company rules by accessing certain customers’ data, including high-profile people like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
“I’ve heard at least one employee brag about having Zuck’s phone number from using our data,” said an unknown person using the anonymous app Blind, according to The Information, which first reported the story. “Another employee has bragged about collecting the info of Hollywood actresses and porn stars.”
Blind is often used by employees of companies who want to share resentments they have with coworkers, or grumble about general happenings bothering them.
Other potential victims of Lyft’s alleged spying include workers’ former and current romances.
The accusations are highly similar to those levied against its ride-sharing big brother Uber. While suing the company for age discrimination and whistleblower retaliation, a former Uber employee alleged in late 2016 that Uber illegally deleted data showing it was tracking people.
“Uber’s lack of security regarding its customer data was resulting in Uber employees being able to track high profile politicians, celebrities, and even personal acquaintances of Uber employees, including ex-boyfriends/girlfriends, and ex-spouses,” Ward Spangenberg, who worked as a forensic investigator for the ride-sharing service, wrote in the court declaration.
One of those famous people whose trip information was allegedly searched? Beyoncé.
Uber also stands accused of spying on Lyft drivers, triggering a lawsuit from one of the contractors and an FBI investigation. And the overall extent of Uber’s spying apparatus could be way larger than originally thought. (RELATED: Uber Accused Of Operating Three Invasive Spy Programs On Riders, Regulators)
Now, Uber isn’t the only company, or more specifically ride-sharing firm, that is getting hit with intense accusations of inappropriate surveillance.
“I’m sorry, this has bothered me way too long and it’s gone unchanged for too long for me to not say anything,” the aforementioned unnamed person said, according to The Information. “The abuse I’ve seen needs to be curbed and access restricted.”
Lyft did not respond to The Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for further details in time of publication.
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