Social media 101: Users tell Uber to hit the road
#DeleteUber may not have had an impact on SA users of the Uber app, but the firm has learnt a lesson it won’t quickly forget
Hours into mass protests at US airports in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump, the hash tag #DeleteUber began trending. The call to stop using the ride-hailing service has since reverberated through the US and all the way to SA, becoming something of a cautionary tale on the power of social media. After Trump’s executive order banning refugees and residents of seven Muslim countries from entering the US, New York City taxi drivers suspended their service in protest. It was a moment for Uber to take a stand — or capitalise on the actions of others. Just a couple of weeks before, an image of tech CEOs with Trump did the rounds. It came after the announcement of a new business advisory council comprising 18 top CEOs. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was one of them — but he assured the world that he was there to challenge Trump. With a single tweet announcing that Uber would be available to airport goers and that its infamous surge pricing wouldn’t be implemented on the...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.