MacGann led Uber's lobbying efforts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East between 2014 and 2016, and told The Guardian he decided to speak out because he believed Uber broke the law in dozens of countries and misled people about the company's business model
Uber has become a symbol of the "gig economy" of odd-jobs enabled by tech giants. Image: Shutterstock
London, United Kingdom: Lobbyist Mark MacGann on Monday came out as the whistleblower who leaked thousands of compromising documents on US ride-hailing firm Uber to British newspaper The Guardian.
MacGann led Uber's lobbying efforts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East between 2014 and 2016. He told the British daily he decided to speak out because he believed Uber broke the law in dozens of countries and misled people about the company's business model.
"I was the one talking to governments, I was the one pushing this with the media, I was the one telling people that they should change the rules because drivers were going to benefit and people were going to get so much economic opportunity," the 52-year-old said in an interview with The Guardian.
"When that turned out not to be the case—we had actually sold people a lie—how can you have a clear conscience if you don't stand up and own your contribution to how people are being treated today?"