Uber took the decision to ban a 35-year-old Australian woman, Swastika Chandra, from using its services due to her first name being flagged as "potentially offensive" under the company's guidelines. Swastika, which means 'good luck' in Sanskrit, is a common name in the culture where Chandra grew up in Fiji. However, despite its cultural significance, the name carries negative connotations due to its association with Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party and the use of the swastika symbol as their emblem.
Chandra discovered the ban when she attempted to order food through Uber Eats and was prompted to change her name on the app. Despite the controversy surrounding her name, Chandra expressed pride in her cultural heritage and refused to alter her name for anyone. She highlighted that the swastika symbol has been used positively in Hindu culture for thousands of years before being appropriated by the Nazis.
Chandra's case garnered attention, and after five months of advocacy by The Hindu Council and the New South Wales attorney-general, Uber reinstated her account. In response, Uber issued an apology to Chandra, acknowledging the delay in resolving the issue and stating their commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all users. They emphasized their policy of evaluating user accounts on a case-by-case basis, considering cultural nuances and aiming to address incidents fairly.
