The Indian armed forces, including the Indian Air Force (IAF), Navy, and Coast Guard, are moving to terminate their individual contracts with Uber, the ride-hailing service, to provide transportation for serving and retired personnel. This decision comes in the wake of a security scare that was raised during a news podcast, which sparked significant public backlash on social media platforms.
An Uber spokesperson addressed the situation, stating, “We stand ready to discuss our data-security practices in detail should they choose to reconsider.” The spokesperson emphasized that Uber has robust safeguards to prevent the loss and unauthorized use or disclosure of personal data. The company has built a foundation of trust over the past decade, with millions of Indians relying on its services.
Sources indicate that the armed forces have commenced the process of contract termination. The Indian Navy was the first service to formalize a deal with Uber on September 11, 2023, followed closely by the Coast Guard, which announced its agreement on December 22. The IAF signed its contract later, on October 18, 2024. These agreements were intended to facilitate reliable, convenient, and safe transportation for military personnel, veterans, and their families. However, no official statements have been released by the three services regarding the current review of these contracts.
The reconsideration of these transport arrangements follows a strong defense from Deputy Army Chief Lieutenant General Raja Subramani regarding the decisions made by the Navy and Air Force amidst criticisms arising from the podcast, which thrust the matters under scrutiny. Notably, the Indian Army has not entered into a contract with Uber unlike its sister services.
After the public criticism and the controversial podcast, the IAF chose to remove its social media post that labeled Uber as its preferred mobility partner. Abhijit Iyer Mitra, a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, expressed gratitude on social media to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for their prompt actions within 48 hours regarding various cybersecurity concerns, including the partnership with Uber. Mitra indicated that he had previously brought these issues to the attention of the Defence Minister in a letter, which he shared on the platform X.
This heightened concern over cybersecurity comes in the context of escalating global fears regarding eavesdropping and vulnerabilities in supply chains, especially in light of recent technology-driven attacks in other parts of the world. The Indian forces’ review and potential scrapping of contracts with Uber underscores a significant intersection of operational logistics and national security considerations, as they navigate the complexities of modern technology and the imperative of protecting sensitive data.
