Uber Technologies Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the city of Seattle, alleging that the city’s new App-Based Worker Deactivation Rights Ordinance, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, poses serious constitutional issues. Uber claims the ordinance compels the company to express views inconsistent with its approach to privacy and safety, violating fundamental constitutional protections.
In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on Wednesday, Uber argued that the ordinance forces the company to adopt the city’s perspective, even when that perspective could damage Uber’s reputation and operations. The company asserts that by enforcing the ordinance, Seattle would require Uber to publicly align with the city’s policies, which might suggest to the public that Uber is not fully committed to providing high-quality services, privacy, or safety for its workers and customers.
Uber’s complaint describes the city’s actions as unconstitutional, alleging that the ordinance imposes a regime of compelled speech, forced association, and an indecipherable government mandate. The company also argues that the ordinance demands sweeping disclosures of sensitive business information and interferes with its contractual rights with workers and clients. According to Uber, Seattle’s attempts to regulate worker deactivations threaten to harm both its business operations and its relationships with app-based workers who do not meet the company’s standards.