Uber
Mastercard Expands Cashless Payment Functionality for Uber MEA
Mastercard has introduced a new initiative focusing on digital payments and advancing financial inclusions for Uber across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). As a regional first, the partnership with Mastercard will enable Uber to drive digitisation across their business operations, leveraging Mastercard’s single infrastructure to meet all types of payments needs across Uber Rides, Uber Eats, Uber Pass, and Uber for Business. It is intended that the partnership will boost cashless payments, drive digital payment acceptance, reward loyalty, while supporting Uber’s continued social impact collaboration. The Economy 2021 report released by Mastercard notes that the economic impact of COVID-19 has introduced permanent changes in digital consumer spending habits, growth of online banking, fintec...
Uber Offers 1 Million Rides to Teachers Across the World
Sourced from CNet. Uber has offered 1 million rides to teachers around the world to and from vaccination appointments to support the reopening of schools and to protect teachers and their communities. As a member of the Global Education Coalition, Uber worked with UNESCO and its partners during the first wave of COVID-19 to deliver meals to the hardest-hit students in countries such as the UK, Kenya, Mexico and Colombia. With cases of COVID-19 still rising around the world, and many schools either fully or partially closed, Uber and UNESCO are extending their partnership. Together, Uber and UNESCO aim to remove transportation as a barrier to accessing vaccinations for teachers around the world as and when governments allow local teachers to get vaccinated. “We look forward to building...
Women Who Coughed On Uber Driver Arrested & Charged With Assault
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: TMZ / Youtube This past Sunday and Uber driver in San Francisco found himself being assaulted and coughed on after some unruly women took issue with his request for them to wear their face masks while riding in his car. Well, those women are now facing charges as authorities have already taken one into custody while another has turned herself in. TMZ is reporting that Malaysia King has been arrested by the San Francisco Police Department. King is seen in the video wearing a red mask and amping up the situation and telling the driver he was going to get “beat down.” Truth be told, the three women together look like they could’ve given the man a universal the way they were acting. Just sayin.’ As for the other passengers, authorities already have a beat on ...
UberGo Launches in South Africa
Sourced from CNet. Uber has launched its low-cost ride-hailing service UberGo in South Africa. “Due to the successful launch of UberGo in Port Elizabeth in 2017, we have decided to change the name of UberNam to UberGo, in order to follow the global Uber standard and to easily expand this option across South Africa,” reads a statement from the company. “We also understand that the name led to some confusion regarding a ride-sharing product, which we do not have in South Africa. Therefore, when you open your Uber app, you will see UberGo. This product is in addition to the current suite of products such as UberX and UberBlack.” UberGo comes with smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, with fares priced more affordably than before. Riders and drivers can expect the same door-to-door safety fea...
Uber ‘lays off’ 185 former Postmates workers
Uber has laid off about 185 Postmates workers, and plans to further integrate Postmates’ infrastructure within its Uber Eats segment, The New York Times reported. Uber acquired Postmates in July for $2.65 billion, following a failed attempt to buy rival food delivery service Grubhub. Meal delivery has been one bright spot for Uber amid the pandemic, as bookings in its Uber Eats division rose 135 percent year-over-year in the third quarter while its ride-hailing segment dropped 50 percent over the same time period. It’s consolidated other parts of the company in a bid to become profitable by the end of 2021, selling its autonomous vehicles segment to Aurora Innovation in December, the same month it sold its Uber Elevate flying taxi division to Joby Aviation. The latest cuts will see Postmat...
WhatsApp delays data sharing change after backlash
WhatsApp on Friday postponed a data-sharing change as users concerned about privacy fled the Facebook-owned messaging service and flocked to rivals Telegram and Signal. The smartphone app, a huge hit across the world, cancelled its February 8 deadline for accepting an update to its terms concerning sharing data with Facebook, saying it would use the pause to clear up misinformation around privacy and security. “We’ve heard from so many people how much confusion there is around our recent update,” WhatsApp said in a blog post. “This update does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook.” It said it would instead “go to people gradually to review the policy at their own pace before new business options are available on May 15.” The update concerns how merchants using WhatsApp to cha...
Nigerian government commences N30,000 grants to Uber drivers, Keke NAPEP riders
The federal government has commenced the disbursement of N30,000 grants for transporters as a measure to support those affected by COVID-19 pandemic under its economic sustainability plan (ESP). This was disclosed in a statement signed by Laolu Akande, senior special assistant to the vice president on media and publicity, on Sunday. The funds are being disbursed under the federal government’s micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) survival fund scheme for artisans and transporters. The transport support track opened on November 30, 2020, after the artisans’ support track launched on October 1, 2020. According to the statement, the artisans track is under federal government’s survival fund, while the transport track is a different scheme also under the same fund. Those to benefit from th...
Uber Launches Medication Delivery Service in South Africa
Sourced from CNet. Uber South Africa and Medicare have partnered to launch an over-the-counter medication delivery service. “We strongly believe in reinventing pharmacy, and thanks to this partnership with Uber Eats this is made possible,” says Tim Knapp, CEO of Medicare. “Getting the medication South Africans need, when they need it, without the risk of leaving their home is just the beginning as we continue to explore how best we can bring access, convenience and reliability in our everyday needs.” According to Uber, the medication available will include both schedule 1 and 2 medicine. And consumers will be required to present their IDs on collection. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_93c.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_93c.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “Seeing how quickly locals...
Uber to Crack Down on Mask Wearing in South Africa
Sourced from CNet. Uber South Africa has launched its Mask Verification tool in an attempt to ensure all passengers wear a mask when taking a ride. Passengers may be required to take a selfie while the mask verification tool ‘detects whether a mask is within the frame of the portrait and allows access to Uber if this is the case,’ reports MyBroadBand. “Masks are mandatory for riders and drivers, and both of you can leave feedback if the other isn’t wearing one,” reads an email from Uber to its South African users. “If we receive feedback about anyone consistently violating our mask policy, they will be blocked from the Uber app.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_f66.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_f66.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Uber Cash Digital Wallet Launched in Sub-Saharan A...
Mark Hamill and Patrick Stewart Face Off in New Uber Eats Commercial: Watch
May the force be with Uber Eats. The food delivery app has just released a new commercial, and it features a Star Wars and Star Trek crossover we never could have predicted. In the video, Mark Hamill and Patrick Stewart emerge from the shadows of a dark warehouse to face off. What’s so urgent that Luke Skywalker and Captain Jean-Luc Picard would leave lockdown and duel? Tomatoes. Specifically, the correct pronunciation of the word. Is it “tomahto” or “tomayto”? Who will survive this showdown? In addition to seeing these two legendary actors dramatically debate food, the clip includes a few funny lines referencing their respective franchises. At one point, Stewart asks Hamill how he plans to win without help from his father. In a nod to that classic Darth Vader scene, Hamill replies, “I am ...
Women in Tech: Ailyssa Pretorius, GM of Uber Eats South Africa and Kenya
As we head towards the end of women’s month, ITNA continues to celebrate the women who have been inspiring the next generation and bridging the current gap in tech workspace. ITNA’s Jenna Delport chatted to Ailyssa Pretorius, Regional GM of Uber Eats South Africa and Kenya about what it takes to make it as a woman in tech-focused industries. Here’s what transpired: What is your typical day like? Does that even exist for you? Two days are never the same at Uber Eats. As the Regional General Manager for Uber Eats South Africa and Kenya, my days range from working with the team to solve tactical problems, to virtual meeting with partners to understand what opportunities we can mutually unlock for growth. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_4f5.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_4f5.td-a-rec-img...
Uber Launches an Intercity Bus Service in Egypt
Uber has launched an intercity Bus service in Egypt – the first country globally to roll out this service – with the aim of connecting cities with the Uber app. The launch comes as part of Uber’s continuous efforts to adapt its technology to build a wide range of products that meet the needs of local markets. “We are honoured to witness another global product launch from Egypt, especially following the last few tense months across the country and the world. Egypt is an innovation hub and a fantastic environment for testing new products,” says Ahmed Khalil, GM of Uber Egypt. “By leveraging Uber’s technology, the new intercity service will introduce a convenient setting to move users between governorates. As we continue to invest in the Egyptian market, we remain committed to broadening...
