Re:How Uber Used Secret “Greyball” Tool to Deceive Authoriti...
by sigmar on Friday March 03, 2017 @04:24PM
(#13786749)
I'm not sure of what my opinion of the morality is, but I (as a non-lawyer) don't see this as obstruction of justice.
If I am a prostitute working the streets, and a police officer approaches me to offer me money for sex. But I notice he has police officer boots on, and suspect he is a cop. I then tell him I am not looking to offer any services for money. Is that obstruction of justice?
Perhaps the credit card lookups (or other methods) violated privacy laws, but I don't see how refusing service should count as obstruction of justice.
Re:How Uber Used Secret “Greyball” Tool to Deceive Authoriti...
by corvus_sapiens on Friday March 03, 2017 @06:30PM
(#13787917)
IANAL either, but there's a difference between not falling into a trap and deceiving the authorities. To continue the analogy, it would be more akin to telling the officer that you're willing to offer services if he meets you at a different street corner with the intention of fleeing later.
IE, Anything is on the table here, it seems (an attitude that can foster creativity certainly). For example, in the end game would Uber's enemies fair badly if they caught a ride in Uber's automatic cars? Indeed, the cars might even be seeking out people for "accidents".
There's reason even the most innovative Mafiosos often don't make it to old age.
Note also:
"Perverting the course of justice is an offence committed when a person prevents justice from being served on him/herself or on another party. In England and Wales it is a common law offence, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perverting_the_course_of_justi...
"Whoever knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsified, or makes a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States or any case filed under Title 11, or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstruction_of_justice
And we're talk systematically evading regulators world-wide. ianola but my legal-fantasy mind could compose for people facing a millennium in prison. I assume the reality would be a slap on wrist if they company's influence falls.