UBER Fined Over Sending Unsolicited Texts To WA Consumers

The fine comes in the form of the grassroots transportation company pledging to spend at least $40,000 to upgrade and refine it's texting communication system, and allowing consumers an opt-out option.

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Friday the settlement from a case that began nearly three years ago.

Starting in 2014, Ferguson says numerous Washington residents began to file complaints that they were getting unwanted text messages about Uber services on their mobile phones, but could not get them to stop.

According to the AG's office:

"Some messages contained information intended for Uber drivers, but were sent to consumers who did not sign up to be drivers. Other texts, originating from drivers themselves, invited recipients to also become Uber drivers.

Customers complained that they did not know how to stop receiving them, and many tried to opt-out, but were unable to. Providing a way to opt out is required by law.

In addition, a glitch with the company’s website portal caused some consumers to receive multiple text messages. One consumer received two or three text messages a week for several weeks, without opt-out instructions. Another consumer said she received 15 to 20 messages."

Uber fully cooperated with the AG's office, says Ferguson, and will immediately begin to revise and revamp their digital information delivery systems, including offering a legally-mandated opt-out feature from future messages.