You’ll see a request prompted by your device for permission to share your location information when you sign up for Uber, which includes location data collected via Bluetooth and nearby wifi signals. For the best service available, the app by default asks you to turn on location services “while using the app” using “precise location.”

We use location data to:

• Help drivers navigate to your drop-off spot and find you
• Display trip history in your receipts
• Understand and resolve support tickets
• To troubleshoot and solve software bugs

Location settings options

For iOS devices

• Always: We may collect location information at any time, even when you’re not actively using the Uber app. If a service needs Always, we’ll ask for your permission when you enable the service.
• While Using the App: We may collect location information when the app is visible on your screen or when you have requested a ride and during your trip. You’ll get an iOS notification on screen if location is being collected in the background when you are in the While Using setting.
• Never: This option disables location services for the Uber app. You can still use the app, but you’ll need to enter your pickup and dropoff locations manually. Location information will be collected from the driver during your trip and linked to your account, even if you have disabled location services for your app.
• Precise Location: This option disables precision location services for the Uber app. When off, you can still use the app, but you’ll need to enter your pickup and dropoff locations manually. Precise Location information will be collected from the driver during your trip and linked to your account, even if you have disabled precise location services for your app.

For Android devices

• While Using the App: We may collect location information when the app is visible on your screen or when you have requested a ride and during your trip. You’ll get a notification on screen if location is being collected in the background when you are in the While Using setting.
• Only this time: This option enables the location services for the Uber app only for this instance. If you select this option, you’ll be prompted again with the location permissions the next time you use the Uber app.
• Don’t allow: This option disables location services for the Uber app. You can still use the app, but you’ll need to enter your pickup and dropoff locations manually. Location information will be collected from the driver during your trip and linked to your account, even if you have disabled location services for your app.
• Approximate Location: This option disables precision location services for the Uber app. When selected, you can still use the app, but you’ll need to enter your pickup and dropoff locations manually. Approximate Location information will be collected from the driver during your trip and linked to your account, even if you have disabled precise location services for your app.

You can always manage your location settings in your device’s location preferences under the Uber app.

Sharing with cities and governments

In some instances, we’re required to share information about the orders placed with our service with cities, governments and local transportation authorities.

To meet these requirements, we collect geolocation and timestamp data from the vehicles on our platform. This data provides cities with information on where each order starts, stops, and the route taken. None of the order data we provide to cities is collected from your personal mobile device or directly identifies you, but the data could be identifiable to you, with some effort. In such cases, we’ll inform you before the trip.

There are special circumstances, such as preventing fraud and responding to safety incidents, where Uber may collect background location for any user in the While Using setting. A notice would appear in such a case.

We treat your location information in accordance with our User Privacy Notice.