Nov. 18--The CEO of the ride-sharing company Uber offered a lengthy 13-part apology on Twitter on Tuesday as the company attempted to quell fallout over comments made by an executive who suggested targeting critical journalists.
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick apologized for comments made by Senior Vice President Emil Michael who, at a dinner over the weekend, floated the idea of hiring opposition researchers to dig up background information on journalists critical of the company.
The news, first reported by BuzzFeed, was much talked about Monday on social media. Michael issued an apology, saying "the remarks attributed to me at a private dinner -- borne out of frustration during an informal debate over what I feel is sensationalistic media coverage of the company I am proud to work for -- do not reflect my actual views and have no relation to the company's views or approach. They were wrong no matter the circumstance and I regret them."
Here are Kalanick's tweets:
11:25 a.m.
1/ Emil's comments at the recent dinner party were terrible and do not represent the company.
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:27 a.m.
2/ His remarks showed a lack of leadership, a lack of humanity, and a departure from our values and ideals
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:27 a.m.
3/ His duties here at Uber do not involve communications strategy or plans and are not representative in any way of the company approach
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:28 a.m.
4/ Instead, we should lead by inspiring our riders, our drivers and the public at large.
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:28 a.m.
5/ We should tell the stories of progress and appeal to people's hearts and minds
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:29 a.m.
6/ We must be open and vulnerable enough to show people the positive principles that are the core of Uber's culture
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:29 a.m.
7/ We must tell the stories of progress Uber has brought to cities and show the our constituents that we are principled and mean well
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:29 a.m.
8/ The burden is on us to show that, and until Emil's comments we felt we were making positive steps along those lines
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:29 a.m.
9/ But I will personally commit to our riders, partners and the public that we are up to the challenge
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:30 a.m.
10/ We are up to the challenge to show that Uber is and will continue to be a positive member of the community
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:30 a.m.
11/ And furthermore, I will do everything in my power towards the goal of earning that trust.
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
11:52 a.m.
12/ I believe that folks who make mistakes can learn from them -- myself included.
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
Noon
13/ and that also goes for Emil ..
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
12:06 p.m.
13/ and last, I want to apologize to @sarahcuda
-- travis kalanick (@travisk) November 18, 2014
On Tuesday afternoon, the company also posted a blog on its website to "make very clear" its policy on data privacy.
"Uber has a strict policy prohibiting all employees at every level from accessing a rider or driver's data," the company said. "Uber's business depends on the trust of the riders and drivers that use our technology and platform. The trip history of our riders is confidential information, and Uber protects this data from internal and external unauthorized access."
Rider and driver accounts are monitored and audited by data security specialists, the post noted. Violations of the policy will result in discipline, including the possibility of termination and legal action.
UPDATES:
4:35 p.m. This post has been updated with details about Uber's privacy policy.
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