History of Uber in Timeline
Uber Technologies, Inc. is a multinational transportation network company based in San Francisco, California. The company offers services including ride-hailing, courier services, food delivery, and freight transport. Uber operates in roughly 70 countries and 10,500 cities worldwide. The company has over 150 million monthly active users and facilitates millions of trips daily.
2009: The Birth of an Idea: Uber's Genesis
In 2009, Garrett Camp conceived the idea for Uber, driven by his own experiences and the desire to provide a more convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional taxi services.
February 2010: Ryan Graves Joins Uber
Ryan Graves joined Uber as the first employee in February 2010, marking a pivotal step in the company's early development.
May 2010: Ryan Graves Becomes CEO
In May 2010, Ryan Graves was appointed as Uber's CEO, leading the company through its early stages.
May 2010: Uber's Beta Launch
Uber took its first step into the market with a beta launch in May 2010, testing its services and gathering feedback.
December 2010: Travis Kalanick Takes the Helm as CEO
Travis Kalanick succeeded Ryan Graves as CEO in December 2010, with Graves transitioning to the role of COO. This marked a significant shift in Uber's leadership.
2010: Uber's Inception
Uber was founded in 2010, originating from the idea of making direct transportation more accessible and affordable.
2011: Uber's Public Launch and Name Change
Uber officially launched its services and mobile app in San Francisco in 2011, initially focusing on black luxury car services. The company also rebranded from UberCab to Uber following complaints from taxi operators.
April 2012: Expanding Services in Chicago
In April 2012, Uber expanded its services to Chicago, introducing the option for users to request both regular taxis and Uber drivers through its app.
July 2012: Introducing UberX: Expanding Accessibility
July 2012 marked the launch of UberX, a more affordable service that allowed drivers to use their personal vehicles, broadening Uber's reach and appeal.
December 2013: Uber Named Tech Company of the Year
Uber received recognition for its technological impact and innovation when USA Today named it the tech company of the year in December 2013.
December 2013: Uber's Growing Reach: 65 Cities and Counting
Uber's rapid expansion continued, with its services operational in 65 cities by December 2013, solidifying its position as a major player in the transportation industry.
2013: Controversial Practices and Their Exposure
Between 2013 and 2017, Uber's controversial practices, including its classification of drivers as independent contractors and unethical business tactics, began to surface, leading to criticism and legal challenges.
August 2014: Expanding Horizons: Uber Launches Shared Rides and Uber Eats
August 2014 marked Uber's expansion into new domains with the launch of a shared transport service in the San Francisco Bay Area and the introduction of Uber Eats, a food delivery service.
September 2014: Uber Discovers Data Breach
In September 2014, Uber discovered a data breach that exposed the names and license plate information of approximately 50,000 drivers.
October 2014: Sarah Lacy Accuses Uber of Sexism and Misogyny
In October 2014, Sarah Lacy, editor of PandoDaily, published an article accusing Uber of sexism and misogyny in its advertising.
2014: Entering the Chinese Market
Uber ventured into the Chinese market in 2014, operating under the name 优步 (Yōubù).
2014: Uber's Approach to Regulations
In 2014, Uber instructed its drivers in California to disregard local regulations regarding airport pickups without permits, assuring them that the company would cover any resulting citations. This approach exemplified Uber's strategy of prioritizing service launch over regulatory compliance.
2014: Uber Experiences Significant Financial Losses
From 2014 onward, Uber consistently reported substantial financial losses, reflecting its rapid expansion and investments in growth.
February 27, 2015: Uber Admits to Data Breach, Delayed Disclosure
On February 27, 2015, Uber revealed a data breach from nine months prior, exposing the names and license plate information of around 50,000 drivers. The company faced criticism for the delay in notification, waiting over five months to inform affected individuals.
March 2016: Study Finds Uber Rides Reduce Congestion in Los Angeles and Seattle
A study published in March 2016 found that Uber rides in Los Angeles and Seattle had a higher passenger occupancy rate than taxi services, suggesting that they could potentially reduce traffic congestion by replacing taxi trips.
August 2016: Strategic Exit from China
Facing intense competition in the Chinese market, Uber sold its operations in China to DiDi in August 2016, securing an 18% stake in DiDi and a $1 billion investment.
December 2016: Uber Invests in AI: Acquires Geometric Intelligence
In December 2016, Uber acquired Geometric Intelligence to bolster its AI research and development, leading to the creation of Uber AI and several open-source projects.
2016: Acquisition of Ottomotto and Legal Disputes
Uber acquired self-driving truck company Ottomotto in 2016, leading to a lawsuit regarding the alleged theft of trade secrets from Waymo. Uber eventually settled the lawsuit and agreed to use Waymo's technology.
2016: Uber Suffers Major Data Breach
In 2016, hackers gained access to Uber's systems, compromising the personal information of millions of users and drivers. This breach involved the theft of names, email addresses, phone numbers, and driver's license details.
February 19, 2017: Susan Fowler Publishes Sexual Harassment Allegations
On February 19, 2017, former Uber engineer Susan Fowler published a blog post detailing alleged sexual harassment and a toxic work environment during her time at the company.
February 27, 2017: Amit Singhal Resigns Amidst Sexual Harassment Allegations
On February 27, 2017, Uber's Senior Vice President of Engineering, Amit Singhal, resigned after failing to disclose a previous sexual harassment claim against him from his time at Google.
March 2017: Uber's "Greyball" Tool Revealed
In March 2017, The New York Times revealed Uber's use of "Greyball," a software tool designed to evade law enforcement in areas where the service was prohibited. The tool used techniques like geofencing, credit card data analysis, and social media monitoring to identify and avoid government officials.
June 2017: Uber Fires Over 20 Employees, Kalanick Resigns Amidst Scandals
In June 2017, following investigations into widespread misconduct, Uber fired over 20 employees. CEO Travis Kalanick initially took a leave of absence but later resigned under pressure from investors.
July 2017: Uber Receives Five-Star Privacy Rating from EFF
In July 2017, Uber received a five-star privacy rating from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, recognizing its efforts to protect user data.
August 2017: Dara Khosrowshahi Takes Over as CEO
Following a series of controversies, Dara Khosrowshahi, former CEO of Expedia Group, replaced Travis Kalanick as Uber's CEO in August 2017.
September 2017: Uber's London License Revoked
In September 2017, Transport for London revoked Uber's private hire operator license, citing several concerns, including its use of the "Greyball" software to circumvent local regulations.
September 2017: EFF Criticizes Uber's Location Tracking Policy
In September 2017, the Electronic Frontier Foundation criticized Uber for its policy of tracking users' locations even after rides ended. Uber reversed the policy following public backlash.
November 2017: Uber Discloses Massive 2016 Data Breach
In November 2017, Uber revealed a major data breach that occurred in 2016, impacting 600,000 drivers and 57 million customers. Exposed data included names, email addresses, phone numbers, and driver's license information. The company admitted to paying a $100,000 ransom to the hackers.
2017: Leaked Documents Reveal Controversial Activities
In 2017, leaked documents shed light on Uber's controversial activities between 2013 and 2017, further fueling public scrutiny and legal battles.
February 2018: Merging Operations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Uber combined its operations in several countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia with Yandex.Taxi, investing $225 million in the joint venture.
March 2018: Strategic Partnership with Grab in Southeast Asia
In March 2018, Uber merged its Southeast Asia operations with Grab in exchange for a 27.5% ownership stake in Grab.
May 2018: Testing the Waters with Uber Rent
Uber experimented with a peer-to-peer carsharing service called Uber Rent, powered by Getaround, in San Francisco between May and November 2018.
July 2018: Study Shows Uber and Lyft Increase Traffic Congestion
In July 2018, a study revealed that ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft contributed to increased traffic congestion in cities.
August 2018: Uber Settles Gender Discrimination and Harassment Claims
In August 2018, Uber agreed to pay $7 million to settle claims of gender discrimination, harassment, and a hostile work environment, with payouts distributed to 480 employees and former employees.
September 2018: Uber Pays $148 Million to Settle Data Breach Charges
In September 2018, Uber agreed to pay $148 million to settle charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission related to the 2016 data breach. The company admitted to misleading statements about its security practices.
November 2018: Joining the Open Source Community
Demonstrating its commitment to open source, Uber became a gold member of the Linux Foundation in November 2018.
November 2018: UK Fines Uber for 2016 Data Breach
In November 2018, Uber's UK divisions were fined £385,000 (later reduced to £308,000) by the Information Commissioner's Office for their handling of the 2016 data breach.
November 2018: Discontinuation of Uber Rent
Uber Rent, the peer-to-peer carsharing service, was discontinued in November 2018 after a trial period.
2018: Partnering with Autzu for Electric Vehicle Rentals
Uber partnered with Toronto-based ridesharing company Autzu in 2018, providing Uber drivers with the opportunity to rent Tesla electric vehicles on an hourly basis.
2018: Uber Exits Markets, Achieves Profitability
In 2018, Uber made strategic exits from markets in Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, opting for stakes in competitors in exchange. This move, while reducing its global footprint, led to the company's first and only year of profitability until 2023.
May 10, 2019: Uber Goes Public
Uber achieved a significant milestone on May 10, 2019, when it went public through an initial public offering (IPO).
September 2019: Study Finds Taxis More Efficient in Downtown Areas
A study published in September 2019 found that taxis demonstrated shorter rider waiting times and less empty driving time compared to ride-hailing services in downtown areas, suggesting a lower contribution to traffic congestion and pollution.
October 2019: Exploring New Avenues with Uber Works
Uber ventured into the temporary staffing market with the launch of Uber Works, a mobile app connecting workers with businesses seeking temporary help, in Chicago and Miami between October 2019 and May 2020.
October 2019: Expanding into Grocery Delivery with Cornershop
Uber made a strategic move into the grocery delivery market by acquiring a 53% stake in Cornershop, a Latin American grocery delivery service, in October 2019.
December 2019: Kalanick Resigns from Uber's Board and Sells Shares
Travis Kalanick further distanced himself from Uber in December 2019 by resigning from the company's board of directors and selling his shares.
2019: Uber's Response to California Assembly Bill 5
In 2019, Uber's reaction to California Assembly Bill 5, which aimed to reclassify gig workers as employees, highlighted its proactive approach to shaping regulations. The company publicly declared its intention to not comply with the law, engaged lobbyists, and financed a substantial public relations campaign seeking to overturn the bill through a ballot initiative.
2019: Restructuring and Layoffs
Uber underwent restructuring and laid off 8% of its staff in the summer of 2019, including eliminating the COO position.
January 2020: Strategic Acquisitions and Divestitures
Uber made significant moves in January 2020, acquiring Careem for $3.1 billion and selling its Indian Uber Eats operations to Zomato, reflecting a strategy of expansion and consolidation.
January 2020: Piloting Driver-Set Fares
Uber tested a new fare model in January 2020, allowing drivers at select airports to set their own fares based on a multiple of Uber's rates.
May 2020: Discontinuation of Uber Works
Uber discontinued Uber Works, its temporary staffing platform, in May 2020.
May 2020: Layoffs Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Uber, leading to layoffs of over 14% of its workforce in May 2020.
May 2020: Closure of Uber AI
Uber AI, despite its contributions to AI research, was shut down in May 2020.
June 2020: Pioneering Software as a Service Partnership
In a groundbreaking move, Uber entered the software as a service (SaaS) market in June 2020 by partnering with Marin Transit to manage their on-demand high-occupancy vehicle fleet.
September 2020: Uber Pledges Carbon Neutrality
In September 2020, Uber made a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2040. Part of this commitment included a requirement that by 2030, in most countries, rides must be offered exclusively in electric vehicles.
December 2020: Uber Acquires Postmates
In December 2020, Uber expanded its reach in the food delivery market by acquiring Postmates for $2.65 billion.
December 2020: Uber Divests Elevate to Joby Aviation
In December 2020, Uber sold its Elevate division, which was focused on developing short flights using VTOL aircraft, to Joby Aviation.
2020: Criminal Charges Against Former Uber CSO for Obstruction of Justice
In 2020, the US Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Joe Sullivan, Uber's former Chief Security Officer, alleging obstruction of justice related to his handling of the 2016 data breach. The complaint alleged that Sullivan, with the knowledge of then-CEO Travis Kalanick, attempted to conceal the true nature of the breach.
January 2021: Uber Sells ATG to Aurora Innovation
In January 2021, Uber's self-driving car unit, Uber Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), was sold to Aurora Innovation in a deal valued at $4 billion in equity. As part of the deal, Uber also invested $400 million into Aurora.
March 2021: Uber Moves to New Headquarters in Mission Bay
In March 2021, Uber moved its headquarters to a new location on Third Street in Mission Bay, San Francisco. The new headquarters consists of several 6- and 11-story buildings connected by bridges and walkways.
June 2021: Acquiring Full Ownership of Cornershop
Uber solidified its presence in the grocery delivery sector by acquiring the remaining 47% interest in Cornershop for 29 million Uber shares in June 2021.
October 2021: Uber Acquires Alcohol Delivery Service Drizly
In October 2021, Uber acquired Drizly, an alcohol delivery service, for $1.1 billion in a combination of cash and stock. However, Drizly was later shut down in early 2024.
January 20, 2022: Uber Acquires Australian Car-Sharing Company Car Next Door
On January 20, 2022, Uber made a move to expand its presence in the Australian market by acquiring Car Next Door, a local car-sharing company.
July 2022: Uber Files Leaked
In July 2022, over 124,000 Uber documents from 2012 to 2017, during Travis Kalanick's tenure as CEO, were leaked to The Guardian. The documents exposed Uber's lobbying efforts, its controversial "kill switch" used during police raids, and Kalanick's dismissive attitude towards driver safety concerns.
September 15, 2022: Uber Experiences Security Breach
On September 15, 2022, Uber faced a security breach where a hacker used social engineering tactics to gain access to an employee's credentials, compromising Uber's VPN and intranet. However, Uber stated that no sensitive data was compromised in this incident.
2022: Uber Reports Financial Losses, Holds Substantial Assets and Liabilities
By the end of 2022, Uber, while having accumulated significant financial losses, possessed $32.11 billion in assets and $24.03 billion in liabilities. This financial position underscored the company's scale and the complex economics of its business model.
February 2023: Uber Drivers Strike Over Wages and Fees
In February 2023, Uber drivers in the US and UK went on strike to protest wage and fee structures. Drivers from Lyft and DoorDash delivery workers joined the strike, highlighting growing concerns about gig economy working conditions.
2023: Uber's Global Presence and Financial Performance
By 2023, Uber had become the world's largest ridesharing company, operating in numerous countries, facilitating millions of trips daily, and generating significant revenue through its mobility and food delivery services.
2023: Uber Achieves Annual Operating Profits After Years of Losses
In a significant financial milestone, Uber recorded $1.88 billion in operating profits for 2023. This achievement followed a period of substantial losses, totaling $31.5 billion since 2014, highlighting the company's path to profitability.
January 2024: Dutch Authority Fines Uber for Privacy Violations
In January 2024, the Dutch data protection authority imposed a 10 million euro fine on Uber for violating privacy regulations related to driver data. The authority found that Uber failed to adequately inform drivers about data retention practices and the transfer of their information outside the European Economic Area.
March 2024: Uber Emphasizes Advertising Revenue to Boost Profits
In March 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported on Uber's strategy of increasing advertising to enhance profitability. The company aimed to strike a balance between generating ad revenue and avoiding customer dissatisfaction. Uber began showing one ad per trip and explored push notifications before abandoning them due to negative feedback.