The CEO of disruptive ride-sharing firm Uber has said it is “unjust” to ask his driver to undergo fingerprint checks, amid a furore over Uber's decision to leave Austin after its citizens demanded biometric background checks.Speaking to Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Obama, at the seventh annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Palo Alto, California, Travis Kalanick said the key issues involved were justice and surveillance.By using other background check methods, Uber gives more people who have been arrested the opportunity to work as drivers, according to Kalanick.”Imagine a country where people might get arrested who shouldn't get arrested. Imagine if that country were the U.S.,” said Kalanick. “We have systems in place where if you're arrested, you literally can't get work, even if you're found to be innocent. And it's unjust.”Previously Uber spokespeople have said the checks can be costly and slow, and impact the company's ability to constantly bring on new drivers.Earlier this month, the International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA) advised ridesharing firms to implement fingerprint-based background checks, saying that the process is much more secure than simple biographical checks.”There are significant risks in relying solely on a biographic background check,” says Tovah LaDier, IBIA's Managing Director, explaining that, “Biographic searches are vulnerable to data entry errors and attempts to use false or misleading biographic information to thwart detection.” “Uber has created a business revolution based upon the use of technology,” said Tovah LaDier, who notes, “It is ironic Uber would prefer an antiquated and vulnerable process by relying solely on name-based background checks of its applicants.” The IBIA writes that a notable exception is New York City, where fingerprint-based background checks are required and Uber has declared its intention to remain for the long term.

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