Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
Uber might be on the hunt for a second-in-command to keep its behavior in line, but that isn't stopping one key executive from heading out the door. Recode sources claim that company President Jeff Jones is leaving after having been on the job for less than a year. Reportedly, the string of controversies in recent weeks were simply too much. Between defying law enforcement, sexual harassment allegations, dodgy self-driving claims, the uproar over Trump's economic council and the CEO's outburst, Uber just wasn't the ridesharing outfit Jones thought he was joining in 2016.
Uber wouldn't go into detail about the departure when we reached out, but did confirm it. "We want to thank Jeff for his six months at the company and wish him all the best," the company says. However, the tipsters claim that the search for a COO had nothing to do with Jones' exit.
Uber had poached Jones from Target (where he was the marketing chief) in August. At the time, he was a big coup. He was the ticket to helping Uber both scale its business and (ironically) mend its reputation. He just didn't pan out that way, however, and may have made things worse in an ill-fated driver Q&A where he didn't appear to take complaints seriously. Jones may have meant well, but he apparently got more than he bargained for.
One thing is for sure: so long as the report is accurate, it doesn't look good for Uber. While the firm is increasingly serious about improving its corporate culture, an exit like this would give management candidates the impression that there's a lack of confidence at the top.
Update: Jones is less diplomatic about his move than his former employer. In a statement to Recode, he says that his values and leadership style are "inconsistent with what [he] saw and experienced at Uber," and that he "can no longer continue" at the company.
Uber creates geofences around the office buildings of public officials who it suspects are involved in sting operations, the New York Times reports.
Regulators will look into if the two year delay before announcing misled investors.
With regulations repealed, agencies de-fanged and international agreements torn up, the environment will pay the price.
These 10 top web hosting services give everyone from bloggers to business owners the tools they need to build a quality online presence.
Using your PC for games and social media is fun; keeping it safe isn't. A security suite can be your one-stop solution. We've tested nearly four dozen of them, and these 10 get our highest recommendation.
Which app is best for learning a brand new language, brushing up on one you studied long ago, or even picking up a few words before traveling? Our reviews can guide you to the right program.
Even if you're running Windows 10, you shouldn't rely on Microsoft's security tools. Even free third-party apps are more effective at keeping you safe. We've tested 13 no-cost AV services to help you find the right one for protecting your PC.
iTunes sometimes puts your music into a folder or assigns it an artist that doesn't fit your preferences. So how can you get the album into the right place and under the right artist name?
You either liked it or you didn't; no more internal debates over just how much or how little you enjoyed something.
Google refused to comply with a warrant in a Minnesota wire fraud case that seeks information on anyone who Googled the victim's name.
Facebook, Google, Twitter, and other companies will soon be required to remove fraud and scams from their sites as soon as they are made aware of them.
Leaked documents show that Uber's autonomous vehicles can't even go a mile, on average, before a human safety driver needs to assume control.
Google said it could do better to ensure that its advertisers' content doesn't appear alongside videos with extremist and other objectionable content.