JISAR

Journal of Information Systems Applied Research

Volume 11

V11 N1 Pages 11-22

March 2018


A Dynamic and Static Analysis of the Uber Mobile Application from a Privacy Perspective


Darren Hayes
Pace University
New York, NY 10038, USA

Christopher Snow
Pace University
New York, NY 10038, USA

Saleh Altuwayjiri
Pace University
New York, NY 10038, USA


Abstract: This research examined the Uber mobile application and determined that the company utilizes very precise and potentially invasive geolocation tracking techniques. Our experiments indicate that Uber tracks the location of its users, after the conclusion of a ride, for longer than its official privacy policy would indicate. The most interesting finding is that geolocation tracking is performed by the Uber app even when the user does not take an Uber ride. Additionally, geolocation tracking of users using competing services may be disconcerting for some consumers. While our findings may be a privacy concern for some consumers, the Uber app also has tremendous potential for digital forensics investigators.

Keywords: Uber, mobile apps, mobile forensics, geolocation, Privacy

Download this article: JISAR - V11 N1 Page 11.pdf


Recommended Citation: Hayes, D., Snow, C., Altuwayjiri, S. (2018). A Dynamic and Static Analysis of the Uber Mobile Application from a Privacy Perspective. Journal of Information Systems Applied Research, 11(1) pp 11-22. http://jisar.org/2018-11/ ISSN: 1946-1836. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of CONISAR 2017)