Uber Used CIA-Trained Staff to Spy on Rivals

A 37-page letter made public by a federal court as part of a trade secrets case reveals that Uber assembled an intelligence team in the summer of 2016.

The letter, which was sent from an ex-Uber official directly to the ride-hailer last May, has only now come to light. But it suggests that Uber's own spies, some of whom were trained by the CIA, were busy intercepting phone calls between rivals and lawmakers, and hacking other firms for details about drivers. The BBC notes that Uber says it hasn’t substantiated all the allegations, but the claims could bring criminal probes in 2018.

It rounds out a rough year for Uber, in which we’ve reported huge hacks, bans, and pressure to reform working practices.