Uber debuts new privacy policy in wake of scandal surrounding executive; CEO issues apology through Twitter

Amidst news that an Uber executive proposed using trip data to look into journalists who cover the company, the social car-pooling service has released a new privacy policy. The policy, which can be seen here, says a user's rider or driver data will only be accessed for "legitimate business purposes" The examples the policy lays out are:

- Supporting riders and drivers in order to solve problems brought to their attention by the Uber community

- Facilitating payment transactions for drivers

- Monitoring driver and rider accounts for fraudulent activity, including terminating fake accounts and following up on stolen credit card reports

- Reviewing specific rider or driver accounts in order to troubleshoot bugs

The policy also stresses the company will monitor each time a rider or driver's data is accessed. Uber threatens "any violations of the policy will result in disciplinary action, including the possibility of termination and legal action."

The suggestion about using rider data to investigate journalists was made by Uber executive Emil Michael. Travis Kalanick, the company's chief executive offer, recently explained Michael's statement's don't reflect Uber's feelings. Here is a litany of tweets Kalanick posted in order to reply to Michael's comments:

Emil's comments at the recent dinner party were terrible and do not represent the company.

His remarks showed a lack of leadership, a lack of humanity, and a departure from our values and ideals.

His duties here at Uber do not involve communications strategy or plans and are not representative in any way of the company approach.

Instead, we should lead by inspiring our riders, our drivers and the public at large.

We should tell the stories of progress and appeal to people's hearts and minds.

We must be open and vulnerable enough to show people the positive principles that are the core of Uber's culture.

We must tell the stories of progress Uber has brought to cities and show the our constituents that we are principled and mean well.

The burden is on us to show that, and until Emil's comments we felt we were making positive steps along those lines.

But I will personally commit to our riders, partners and the public that we are up to the challenge.

We are up to the challenge to show that Uber is and will continue to be a positive member of the community.

And furthermore, I will do everything in my power towards the goal of earning that trust.

I believe that folks who make mistakes can learn from them - myself included,

and that also goes for Emil ..

Kalanick also apologized to Sarah Lacy, the reporter Michael attacked due a recent article Lacy wrote. The PandoDaily reporter accused the company of "sexism and masogany" in her article.