Uber is an app that also uses your personal data. For various reasons. Here are the settings to modify to enhance privacy.
Most users take advantage of Uber to call a taxi and then forget about the app. However, Uber doesn’t forget about you. The app can track you and collect data for targeted advertising. Fortunately, Uber offers a number of settings that you can change to control the level of tracking and make the application more private.
Disable location access
Uber does not need your location data. If you deny GPS access to Uber, you can still use the app. You will need to manually enter your pickup location each time, but that’s the only inconvenience. I’ve been using Uber like this for over five years without any issues. The only risk is that you might enter the wrong pickup address since GPS is not being used.
To disable location access, go to the settings or preferences on your phone, then Privacy and Security, Location Services, and finally Uber. This setting is in the same place on iOS and Android.
Reduce ad targeting
When you’re on the move, you may see an ad in the Uber app. These ads use your data such as your location, trips, usage history, food orders, and more. While it’s not possible to completely disable ads, you can prevent the company from using your data to target ads.
To do this, open the app and select the Account tab in the lower right corner. Then go to Settings > Privacy > Uber Offers and Promotions. Disable “Allow personalized Uber offers and promotions”.
Go back to the Privacy settings page and select “Ads on Uber Eats”. Disable “Receive personalized ads on Uber and Postmates”.
Go back to the Privacy settings page and select “Ads on the rides app” and disable “Customize ads you see during rides”.
Finally, you can delete gender identity information, as the company uses this data for advertising, marketing, and UX. In the Privacy settings page, go to Gender Identity, tap the pencil icon and select “Delete my gender information”.
Limit notification and email spam
Your Uber data is also used for targeted marketing via push notifications and emails. You can limit this by going to the Account tab in the Uber app and going to Settings > Communication. You can go to Push Notifications and disable everything. Go back to the Communication page and select Email. Disable everything here as well.
Remove unwanted connected apps
If you have used your Uber account to log in to other services or connected Uber with other apps in the past, you should take the time to review this list and remove access that is no longer needed. To remove services linked to your Uber account, go to the Account tab of Uber, tap on your name at the top of the screen. Go to the Security tab at the top and remove the apps in question in the Connected Social Apps section. Then go to “Privacy and Data” and scroll down to “Third-party apps with account access” to remove apps you no longer use.