Uber, the increasingly-recognized ridesharing start-up company, is under criticism for remarks made by senior executive Emil Michael.
Michael allegedly suggested that the company should dig up dirt on journalists critical of the start-up and release information about their personal lives in an effort to "give the media a taste of its own medicine," BuzzFeed Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith reveals in a report.
"That team could, he said, help Uber fight back against the press -- they'd look into 'your personal lives, your families,' and give the media a taste of its own medicine," Smith writes.
The comments were made at a professional dinner where other tech executives were present. Michael suggested that "a million dollars" be spent to hire opposition researchers, BuzzFeed includes in its report.
Company officials, however, have responded to the reports, attempting to clear up misconceptions regarding the alleged plan. They say Uber does not engage in opposition research on journalists and does not plan on doing so in the future.
"The remarks attributed to me at a private dinner-borne out of frustration during an informal debate over what I feel is sensationalistic media coverage of the company I am proud to work for-do not reflect my actual views and have no relation to the company's views or approach," Michael said in a statement released by an Uber spokeswoman, BuzzFeed also reports.
They were wrong no matter the circumstance and I regret them."
Despite the company's recent controversy, Uber has witnessed tremendous growth-not only is it considering announcing a public offering soon, but it also has raised about $1.5 billion and is valued at more than $17 billion, according to a New York Times recount of the debacle.
Analysts and investors have opined that the start-up's ethical foundation should be reworked and included in its public relations strategy to avoid future controversy.
