Uber

Does Uber have a responsibility to cooperate with sting operations favoring crony-capitalist competitors?

Steven Green, Instapundit

 

In an effort to circumvent the laws in some cities, Uber has an app called Greyball.  The app keeps track of those accessing the Uber app with particular attention to those who might be setting up a sting operation against Uber drivers working in areas where the ride sharing service is not legal.  Clever.

One of my favorite economists, Walter Williams, has described smugglers as heroes.  Indeed, if Bill is willing to drive Sally to the airport in his private vehicle and Sally is willing to pay, why should government have the right to deny them from engaging in this mutually beneficial trade?  On the other hand, if the population of a locality has freely elected those who make such laws, those laws should be followed.  Federalism and libertarianism clash here.  But even there, Steven Green has a point in that it is not incumbent on the "lawbreaker" to cooperate with efforts to catch them.

 

The taxi model with its medallion system is a relic of an older era.  With cellphones and willing drivers, hailing a cab is heading out with the buggy whip.  Heck, before too much longer, cars with drivers will be an oddity.  Embrace the future and let free people engage in free trade.