The incredibly (0) USEFUL (USE) mobile phone app, Uber, which allows people to hire private cars rather than official taxis for short trips, has been one of the most 1CONTROVERSY businesses of the 21st century.
Uber drivers use their own cars, and need only pass a simple background check before picking up passengers. An Uber user 2LOAD the app onto their smartphone, which they can then use to summon an official Uber driver and track their order.
The company has been widely 3CRITIC by taxi drivers who allege that it has allowed unlicensed drivers to steal their business, 4THREAT their livelihood and the safety of customers. The company has also been subjected to legal action by their own drivers, who say they are employees of the business without any of the protection or benefits guaranteed by employment law.
A greater threat comes from 5GOVERN that find it difficult to control Uber's internet-based operations. Uber claims it is not a taxi service and so should not be subject to the same controls. The company is currently involved in disputes with several national and local 6AGENCY and has been banned in Spain since 2014.
Uber is involved in research into self-driving cars, street-level mapping projects, and even Uber Elevate, which is researching 3D transport (which, in other words, means 7FLY cars). It seems as though Uber has its eye on the future and ambition to change the world, 8HOPE for the better.