Uber CEO investigated over allegations of fraud in price-fixing case

theguardian.com

23 points·century19··6 comments

Unsavory business practices at Uber? No way...

How is it price fixing? Wouldn't he need to conspire with Lyft and the local taxi companies?

The lawsuit alleges the price fixing is between Uber and Uber drivers. Of course it is obviously true that Uber sets the price for its drivers. I agree it's a bit odd.

I think it's just an alternate play on the contractor vs. employee argument. Since Uber drivers are not employees I guess it's possible that anti-price-fixing statues might somehow apply. I would imagine that if drivers were employees then this line of attack would be bunk.

It's ironic that, if anything, prices are being fixed below market rate, not above it.

They also vary the pricing based on current supply and demand. So this implies that they automatically fix the price at a point in time for the small set of drivers who are registered with uber and 5-10 minutes away. They notify (I assume) "off duty" drivers nearby that the price has gone up and as more drivers get on the road they then re-fix the price for the small set of drivers who are 5-10 minutes away?

even with surge pricing.

Should independent drivers be able to set their own price? General contractors charge a fixed price then subcontract out so it seems like the same model to me.

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