Uber is the technology platform which connects riders and drivers around the world. They process as many rides in China as the rest of the world combined.
Like many technology companies they regularly update their ‘app’ for both riders and drivers — to add new features (like splitting a fare with someone else, add a new kind of service like grocery — or kitten — delivery, improve geolocation services).
The DeBlasio administration in New York City, through its Taxi and Limousine Commission, had planned to require that Uber (and Lyft, and other similar services) receive regulatory approve in advance each time they wanted to update their app.
They’ve dropped that plan, although they still intend to exercise veto rights over the technology the world uses to interact with the global ridesharing service. They require notice to the Commission every time there’s an app update, and: