Today the economy, the portrait
Mark MacGann, from high-ranking lobbyist to 'Uber Files' whistleblower
Audio 03:48
Mark MacGann is at the origin of the "Uber Files" after having transmitted more than 124,000 compromising documents of the Uber company to the British daily newspaper The Guardian.
© AFP / BENOIT DOPPAGNE
By: Grégory Genevrier Follow
3 mins
The source behind the "Uber Files" is now known, his name is Mark MacGann.
He is the one who transmitted more than 124,000 compromising documents from the American company Uber to the British daily
The Guardian
.
Yesterday a high-ranking lobbyist at the VTC giant, Mark MacGann has now become a whistleblower.
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First anonymously, Mark MacGann finally revealed his identity in the columns of
The Guardian
newspaper on Monday July 11.
The documents he revealed allowed the realization of
a vast investigation which lifts the veil on the brutal methods
of the giant of the VTC.
With a remarkable professional career, nothing predestined this 52-year-old Irishman to become a whistleblower.
Trained in France, at Sciences Po Grenoble, this experienced lobbyist cut his teeth in various consulting firms, such as the giant Havas, and also in public relations agencies such as Weber Shandwick.
He then worked for DigitalEurope, a professional association which defends the interests of Big Tech companies such as Apple or Microsoft, or for Wall Street as a lobbyist in Brussels.
In 2014, he joined Uber as chief lobbyist in charge of Western Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Active participation in the Uber strategy
Mark MacGann discussed his role at the company in his interview with The
Guardian
.
Concretely, his position consisted of pushing all possible doors to create a legislative and commercial environment favorable to the development of the company.
“
In most of the countries under my responsibility, Uber was not legal.
I was the one talking to governments, trying to sell Uber to the media.
I was saying that the legislation had to be changed because it would benefit drivers and there would be enormous economic opportunities.
»
Mark MacGann was therefore on the front line in the war launched by Uber against taxis and the legislation in force.
He quickly became the favorite target of angry taxi drivers during the violent protests in 2015. Faced with death threats, Uber even forced him to have bodyguards.
A context which, according to him, pushed him to resign in 2016, even if he will remain a consultant for some time.
Why become a whistleblower?
Why did he decide, six years after his resignation, to speak out publicly and become a whistleblower?
The question arises since he was a key player in the system he denounces today.
This is underlined by Blandine Sillard, head of development at the
House of Whistleblowers
(MLA).
“
He was more than just a link in the chain, he was almost the engine.
We understand that questions arise.
Is he trying to redeem his conscience
?
Did he have grievances against his company
?
Both are probably true.
Despite everything, without him and without the access he could have had to this information, we wouldn't have the evidence we need to move things forward.
His whistleblower profile is not atypical in itself.
What is rare is that whistleblowers speak directly to the press.
»
This voluntary media coverage can be a strategy to avoid reprisals.
Mark MacGann, he claims to have reflected for a long time on his role in the drift of Uber, before speaking.
"
How do you want to have peace of mind if you don't stand up and acknowledge your role in the way drivers are treated today.
It is my duty to say that we made a mistake.
In reality, what we sold to people was a lie.
[...] What I am doing is not easy, but I think it is right.
»
For its part, Uber says that Mark MacGann is "
not in a position to speak credibly about Uber today
".
A way to dismiss the accusations of their former employee, surely become the number one enemy.
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