Uber checks push notifications, a characteristic actually nobody needs • TechCrunch

Uber not too long ago launched its new promoting division and in-app advertisements. Apparently, these advertisements aren’t staying inside the app.

As a substitute, advertisements from different firms are being despatched out as push notifications, a lot to the chagrin of some Uber customers. Over the weekend, folks turned to Twitter to complain in regards to the notifications, sharing screenshots of ads, together with one notably well-liked one from Peloton, that Uber had despatched out. One of many major complaints: notifications are being despatched out when customers aren’t partaking with the app.

When Uber first introduced its in-app advert “expertise,” the corporate didn’t point out the doubtless intrusive implications.

Uber informed TechCrunch this “was a restricted check and customers can at all times handle their cell notification settings underneath Privateness after which Notifications within the app.”

The corporate didn’t reply in time to observe up questions from TechCrunch, together with what number of customers are included within the check, whether or not it’s monitoring information on what number of customers flip off advert push notifications, how lengthy the check is scheduled to final and whether or not Uber would totally implement push notification advertisements sooner or later.

Uber’s in app advertisements characteristic a single model for the complete journey. The so-called “journey advertisements” lets manufacturers present a consumer totally different advertisements at three factors of a visit: whereas ready for a automobile, whereas driving and upon reaching the vacation spot. Manufacturers are in a position to “personalize” advertisements to every consumer primarily based on their journey historical past and geographic locations. It’s additionally not clear if Uber used the identical kind of information for its push notification advertisements.