User data: Uber denies breach, defends compliance in Lagos State amid threats of sanctions

Uber, the renowned global ride-hailing company, has refuted claims of breaching a pivotal data-sharing pact with the Lagos state government. The agreement, established in 2020, mandates ride-hailing services to share real-time trip data with the state authorities, ensuring enhanced monitoring and accountability within the transportation sector.

Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation, in a statement last week Friday, underscored the urgency for corrective measures, stating, “Immediate corrective action is imperative to rectify Uber’s non-compliance with the Data Sharing Agreement and API integration of the state.”

Highlighting the significance of data accessibility, Osiyemi emphasised its pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of Lagos State residents, citing security concerns as a paramount reason for adherence to the agreement.

Former Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, also stressed the importance of data transparency, noting that the primary objective was to obtain trip movement data for levy calculation purposes.

“We are not asking the e-hailing companies to release detailed data. All we are asking from them is data for trip movement so that we can calculate the right charge and levy due to the government. This data is to be supplied every week,” Oladeinde reiterated.

Responding to the allegations, an Uber spokesperson, according to TechCabal, reiterated the company’s commitment to regulatory compliance across all operational jurisdictions, including Nigeria. The spokesperson stated, “In all markets that we operate in, and Nigeria is no exception, we are committed to being compliant with regulatory requirements.”

Furthermore, the spokesperson affirmed Uber’s fulfillment of Lagos State’s regulatory obligations, encompassing an annual fee, per-trip levy, and data sharing requisites, underscoring the company’s dedication to upholding regulatory standards.

The genesis of the 2020 agreement traces back to extensive deliberations between ride-hailing entities and the Lagos state government, culminating in the formulation of regulatory frameworks aimed at fostering a transparent and accountable transportation ecosystem. This move echoes similar regulatory endeavors undertaken globally, illustrating a concerted effort to balance innovation with regulatory oversight.

Uber’s engagement with regulatory authorities underscores its longstanding commitment to operational integrity and regulatory compliance, exemplified by its continuous efforts to elevate industry standards within Nigeria’s mobility landscape.

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