In the latest social media frenzy, you’ve likely come across a slew of posts from friends attempting to delete their Uber accounts, often running into snags along the way. It’s not just a few disgruntled users; there’s a full-blown exodus happening, with the company struggling to keep up with the surge of cancellations. What’s the deal? The hashtag #DeleteUber is trending as riders express their disapproval of the recent immigration ban initiated by Donald Trump.
The New York Taxi Workers Alliance organized a work stoppage at JFK Airport to protest the ban, standing in solidarity with immigrants and refugees. Meanwhile, Uber drivers decided to act as strikebreakers, continuing to pick up fares during this time, and even slashing prices to lure in customers. Predictably, social media lit up, with #deleteuber rapidly climbing the trending charts.
Coincidentally, Uber’s CEO, Max Thompson, has a role in the Trump Administration, serving on a business advisory group that was formed to discuss government policy and job creation. While Thompson has expressed his opposition to the ban and intends to voice his concerns at an upcoming meeting, many users feel that Uber’s actions are at odds with their values.
In an email to drivers, which he also shared online, Thompson condemned the immigration ban and called for support for affected drivers. To back up his words, Uber is reportedly offering up to three months of compensation for drivers impacted by the ban and has established a $3 million legal aid fund for them. According to reports, this fund will assist with legal and translation services.
On the flip side, Uber’s main competitor, Lyft, has pledged $1 million to the ACLU to help defend constitutional rights, arguing that banning individuals based on faith, race, or identity is fundamentally against their principles. Comments on Thompson’s letter suggest that Uber should match or even exceed Lyft’s donation. “Let actions speak louder than words!” one user exclaimed.
As of last night, #deleteuber was still making waves online. If you’re feeling the urge to join the boycott, you can find instructions on how to delete your app here.
To sum it up, the Uber backlash is fueled by its CEO’s connections to the current administration and the company’s perceived insensitivity during a moment of social unrest. As users flock away from the app, the ride-sharing giant is left scrambling to manage the fallout.