Uber bans woman named 'Swastika' due to her name
Uber, the globally recognized ride-hailing and food delivery platform, recently faced controversy for banning an Australian user named Swastika Chandra. As per New York Post, the ban was implemented due to the unfortunate association of her name with the symbol used by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party. Despite her name's Sanskrit origin, translating to 'good luck,' Uber's system flagged it as inappropriate. Some media reports claim she has been prohibited from using Uber services since October 2023.
Chandra's experience with Uber's name violation notification
Chandra shared her experience to A Current Affair, revealing that she was barred from using Uber's services during a food order transaction. A notification popped up stating, "Your first name is in violation and you need to change your name on the app." She expressed disappointment over the incident and refused to change her name due to misunderstanding. "They don't know that the Hindus used it for thousands of years before Hitler used it in the wrong way," she said.
Name cleared by official documents
Chandra confirmed that her unique name never posed issues with official documents like her birth certificate, Australian citizenship certificate, health care card, or driver's license. With backing from The Hindu Council and the NSW Attorney General, she was eventually allowed back on the Uber platform. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies also supported Chandra, distinguishing between her innocent use of her given name and any malicious use of a symbol associated with hate or division.
Uber's apology and reinstatement of account
In response to the controversy, Uber issued an apology to Chandra and reinstated her access to their services. The company stated: "Uber is committed to facilitating a safe and welcoming environment for all users." It acknowledged the cultural nuances of names, assuring that they handle such incidents on a case-by-case basis for fair evaluation. Uber concluded by thanking Chandra for her patience during the review process, which they admitted took longer than expected.
