Uber - Latest News, Updates and Analysis

Two vehicles with heavily damaged front ends face each other after a crash, debris scattered on the roadway and an orange traffic cone placed nearby while streaks of passing headlights blur across the scene.

Economy

Uber ballot initiative sparks showdown with lawyers, doctors

Lawyers and doctors oppose Uber’s proposed California ballot initiative, which would cap contingency fees and limit recoveries of medical costs for all car crashes in the state.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• February 24, 2026

Commentary

Uber’s ballot measure would protect rideshare companies, not riders, from safety lapses

A proposed California law — if it made it to the ballot — would cap medical payouts in vehicular accidents and shrink lawyers’ payments in lawsuits against rideshare companies.

By Jamie Court and Nick Rowley • February 24, 2026

A sign that reads “Uber” on the glass window on the side of an office building.

Commentary

Two ads during Super Bowl hint at a high-dollar ballot battle in California next fall

Uber's ballot measure would limit the ability of injured passengers to sue. Three lawyer-back measures would hold rideshare companies responsible.

By

Dan Walters

• February 11, 2026

A side-view of people holding signs and chanting while at a rally.

Politics

Uber, Lyft drivers could unionize under new proposal

California Democrats are backing a legislative proposal that would allow gig workers to form unions. Expect big pushback from companies like Uber, Lyft and Doordash.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• April 9, 2025

A lawmaker wearing a blue suit stands in front of a microphone that is connected to a desk at the Assembly session. Other lawmakers in the room seat at their desks and listen to him speak.

Elections

Big spenders: These companies are giving the most to California legislative candidates

Independent expenditure committees have put nearly $100 million into legislative races, funding ads to support, and often attack, candidates. The outside, unlimited spending is increasing with each election.

By

Jeremia Kimelman

• November 4, 2024

A Lyft driver working in San Francisco in 2013. Photo by Jeff Chiu, AP Photo

Economy

Court ruling opens door to gig driver unionization bill, union says

A court ruling last week upheld much of a 2020 gig-worker initiative, but found part of the measure was invalid. The part the court struck down opens the door to driver unionization legislation, according to labor advocates challenging the initiative.

By

Grace Gedye

• March 20, 2023

App-based gig worker Terresa Mercado participates in a demonstration outside Los Angeles City Hall to urge voters to vote no on Proposition 22 in Los Angeles on Oct. 8, 2020. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Commentary

After court ruling, California’s gig worker battle takes new turn

A California appellate court ruling added a new twist to the legal and political battle over the status of gig workers, which dates back to 2004. However, the conflict is likely just shifting to another arena.

By

Dan Walters

• March 20, 2023

WhatMatters

Uber, Lyft defeat unions in CA Prop. 22 fight

Hundreds of thousands of California rideshare drivers finally have clarity on their job classification — but it’s not the outcome unions were hoping for. A California appeals court ruled Monday that drivers can indeed be treated as independent contractors and not employees of Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and other platforms, reports CalMatters’ Grace Gedye. If this […]

By

Lynn La

• March 14, 2023

Young pigs feed in a pen during a hog farm tour in Ryan, Iowa, U.S., May 18, 2019. Photo by Ben Brewer, Reuters

WhatMatters

California pig law exposes a divided America

Although it deals primarily with pigs, the California case that had oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday could potentially result in a decision as far-reaching as those striking down federal abortion protections and expanding gun rights. At issue is Proposition 12, the ballot measure California voters approved in 2018 requiring bigger cages […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• October 12, 2022

App-based gig workers hold demonstration outside Los Angeles City Hall to urge voters to vote no on Proposition 22, a ballot measure that would classify app-based drivers as independent contractors and not employees or agents, in Los Angeles on October 8, 2020. Photo by Mike Blake, REUTERS

WhatMatters

Instacart, Lyft back in California political spotlight

The ripple effects of Proposition 22 are still reverberating in California labor politics — and could rear up in this year's election.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 14, 2022