The Uber Files

Illustration of protesters near Uber cars

THE LOBBYING MACHINE

How Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators and exploited violence against its drivers in battle for global dominance

When the ride-hailing giant called, powerful politicians answered, leaked text messages and emails reveal.

By Sydney P. Freedberg

Jul 10, 2022

WHISTLEBLOWERS

Ex-Uber lobbyist Mark MacGann comes forward as source of the Uber Files

By Nicole Sadek

Jul 11, 2022

TAX SHUFFLE

Uber shifted scrutiny to drivers as it dodged tens of millions in taxes

By Scilla Alecci

Jul 11, 2022

TAX SHUFFLE

Uber shifted scrutiny to drivers as it dodged tens of millions in taxes

By Scilla Alecci

Jul 11, 2022

RUSSIA GAMBIT

Uber forged deals with top Putin allies in failed bid to break into Russian market

By Nicole Sadek

Jul 11, 2022

THE LOBBYING MACHINE

How Uber won access to world leaders, deceived investigators and exploited violence against its drivers in battle for global dominance

By Sydney P. Freedberg

Jul 10, 2022

INTERACTIVE

Key people in the Uber Files investigation

By Antonio Cucho Gamboa

Jul 10, 2022

The Uber Files investigation reveals how the company won access to political leaders, often in secret, duped investigators, upended workers’ rights and tried to hobble government probes as it barged into new markets in the face of fierce resistance.
Leaked records reveal that Uber executives activated a so-called “kill switch” to cut access to company servers and prevent authorities from seizing evidence during raids on Uber offices in at least six countries.
Uber made deals with oligarchs in a failed bid to enter the Russian market with Kremlin support.
Uber executives discussed the public relations benefits of violence against its drivers as it tackled resistance to its expansion.
The ride-hailing giant sought to deflect attention from its tax liabilities by helping authorities collect taxes from its drivers while routing profits through Bermuda and other tax havens.

Latest news

French MPs to investigate Uber’s lobbying of public officials

Illustration of Lady Justice accepting cash from businesspeople

As US-style corporate leniency deals for bribery and corruption go global, repeat offenders are on the rise

‘We co-opted democracy,’ Uber Files whistleblower tells European Parliament

How we unearthed Uber’s controversial playbook from a cache of employee communications

Taxi drivers block Brussels, demanding EU investigate Uber Files revelations

Highlights from Uber Files reporting around the globe

Watch: Inside Uber’s global lobbying machine

The Uber Files investigation reveals how the ride-hailing juggernaut would “embrace the chaos” as it stormed into new markets around the world, driven by assertive tactics and helped by powerful friends.