Uber faces criminal investigation in US over software misuse

US tech firm Uber Technologies is set to face a criminal investigation from the government after accusations that it used software that enabled it to operate in restricted regions.

According to news agency Reuters, the US Department of Justice has launched the investigation into Uber’s "Greyball" software system.

Uber has admitted that the software aided its drivers in identifying and avoiding transport regulators in certain areas where the firm has not yet been approved for use.

The issue is the latest in a series of setbacks for the ride-hailing firm, which has been heavily scrutinised for its management practices.

The issue is the latest in a series of setbacks for the ride-hailing firm

In the UK it was lambasted, along with other gig economy firms, for using contracts which were practically illegible for its employees.

Uber has also been brought to court by Google over allegations that it stole aspects of the latter’s self-driving technology.

The company said in March that the technology referred to in the investigation allowed it to tag some users so that they saw a different version of its standard app, which is primarily used to match passengers with Uber employees.

Uber added that the Greyball software obscured the real location of Uber cars in a variety of circumstances, including the possibility of physical threats or to test new features.