I Requested My Data from Uber, Here’s What Happened

This is the first installment of series about Data Transparency in the Gig Economy. Over the coming posts, I’ll share insights from my deep dive into Uber’s driver data—exploring everything from raw numbers to actionable strategies. This series is dedicated to helping drivers and contractors gain clarity on their operations and reclaim control over their business decisions.

Driven by my need to evaluate my business in a more informed way—and by the new Colorado law requiring Uber to provide full transparency—I decided to dig into the raw numbers Uber collects about my trips. Even though I’ve stopped driving full-time, I wanted an objective picture of my history as a driver and a glimpse of what a future with Uber might hold, should I ever return to the road.

The Process

Requesting my data from Uber was straightforward. I followed their standard procedure and soon received a comprehensive set of files. Among these were several folders labeled “Driver” that documented ride histories, payment summaries, and performance metrics.

Before diving into the data, I consulted GPT to help set parameters for my analysis—ensuring that I stayed focused on key questions and could ask relevant follow-up questions as needed. With that foundation in place, I successfully uploaded and analyzed three CSV files from the “Driver” folder.

I’m making no assumptions about what conclusions one might ultimately draw from this data, nor am I claiming that every detail is 100% correct. I have only scratched the surface, and I’m sharing my preliminary findings as a starting point for deeper analysis.

What I Found

The data provided a granular look into my work history, detailing every documented trip and delivery:

• Detailed Ride History:

I could see each trip I completed—including pickup and drop-off locations, and the times of day when I was most active.

• Earnings Breakdown:

While the files primarily show gross revenue, they also include information such as service fee data that can help estimate the impact of expenses on my net income.

• Performance Metrics:

Ratings, feedback, and other performance indicators were recorded, offering insight into how my work was evaluated over time.

These insights are preliminary, but they offer a way to objectively evaluate past decisions and strategies. I’m not drawing definitive conclusions from this analysis; rather, these findings represent a starting point for understanding my business better.

The Impact on My Business Evaluation

Now that I’m not driving full-time, this data is even more critical. With these detailed records, I can begin to identify patterns—such as which hours or locations were most profitable, and which trips barely contributed to my bottom line. This exercise has allowed me to reflect on my past work and consider how I might approach similar opportunities in the future, if at all.

This process isn’t about confirming assumptions or finding definitive answers; it’s about gathering information that empowers me—and perhaps others—to make more informed decisions in an industry where full transparency is just beginning to emerge.

Why It Matters

In the gig economy, data is the foundation of understanding your business. Uber has long leveraged extensive analytics to optimize its operations, yet drivers often lack access to the same level of insight. By requesting and analyzing my own data, I’m taking a step toward reclaiming control over my business decisions—ensuring that I’m not solely reliant on the platform’s opaque metrics.

This post is only the beginning. In future installments, I’ll dive deeper into the patterns I’ve observed, discuss how this data can be used to refine business strategies, and explore the broader implications for drivers and the gig economy as a whole.

Have you requested your own data? What insights have you uncovered? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences as we navigate this evolving landscape together.

Stay tuned for the next post in this series, where we’ll take a closer look at turning raw data into actionable strategies for a more informed, empowered approach to gig work.