Thread by @latimes

Uber served CA users with a pop-up threatening that if voters failed to pass Prop 22, wait times & prices would increase, & drivers would lose their livelihoods.

To move forward, users had to tap the “confirm” button on the message.

@suhaunah reports: latimes.com/business/techn…

Prop 22 is a complicated and divisive initiative.

It represents gig economy companies’ efforts to avoid complying with AB 5, a CA law that requires they treat their workers as employees rather than independent contractors. latimes.com/business/techn…

Bankrolled heavily by Uber and Lyft, Prop 22 would carve out a new category of work for drivers, sparing the companies from paying for full benefits that employees receive. latimes.com/business/techn…

Experts say the companies’ electioneering is highly untraditional.

“People are watching this campaign to see how much spending you need to get that Yes vote — how smart it is to drive messages to end users directly,” said a political science professor. latimes.com/business/techn…

Some people were upset about having to hit confirm on an affirmative Prop 22 message.

“I certainly would not be happy if I received an ad like that, because I’m engaged in a business relationship with them, not a political one,” another expert shared. latimes.com/business/techn…

CA voters will decide the fate of 12 statewide propositions on Nov. 3, measures that cover a variety of topics including property taxes, criminal justice and workplace regulations.

Here's what you need to know: latimes.com/california/202…