[ascribd]

The city argument is they need the data for several purposes, for example aggregate information for demand projections (Uber's own data shows it slows down Manhattan traffic 9 percent) as well as entity-specific information to track compliance with applicable laws and licensing (criminal record, etc.).

Airbnb and Uber are correct when they say they need to keep some information confidential. Cities have terrible records when it comes to this. Indeed, if you look across the pond to the UK, where the HMRC is building the next Big Brother all in the name of tax collection, one can only shudder when looking at their track record of securing large quantities of data.