In Kansas, Uber’s campaign didn’t just backfire -- it knocked out the legislature’s e-mail system

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When lawmakers in Kansas considered legislation to regulate services such as Uber, the ride-hailing company sprang into action, urging local customers and drivers to blast legislators with e-mails opposing the bill. But instead of persuading legislators to side with Uber, the campaign disrupted the state legislature's e-mail system -- temporarily making it inaccessible and leaving frustrated lawmakers struggling to find important messages in a sea of more than 1,500 form e-mails from Uber customers.

"Every legislator got all the same e-mails," said state Sen Marci Francisco (D), who voted for the bill. "And they weren't just from Kansas -- some were from out of state. Maybe 20 were from my district." The company's most valuable political asset is its ability to rally drivers and customers to its defense. A driver or a customer might not understand the underlying policy questions at stake, but they probably will click a button in support of the service if it means continuing to have a cheap transportation alternative or a source of income. "The magic of the Uber platform is that it makes connections: We connect riders to drivers, residents with their cities, and, sometimes, constituents with their elected officials," said Uber spokeswoman Jennifer Mullin.


In Kansas, Uber’s campaign didn’t just backfire -- it knocked out the legislature’s e-mail system