Uber bans use of ‘Greyball’ technology to mislead officials

Uber has banned the use of its so-called “Greyball” technology, aimed at regulators, ending a program that had been controversial in assisting Uber evade officials in cities where the service has been prohibited.

Uber is re-evaluating the different methods the technology has been utilized and is “expressly banned its use to target action by regional regulators going forward,” Uber Chief Security Officer Joe Sullivan wrote in a blog post.

The company had recently confirmed the presence of the “Greyball” program, which utilizes data from the Uber app and other methods to detect and circumvent officials who intended to ticket or apprehend drivers in cities that criticized Uber’s operations.