{
  "id": 10948415,
  "title": "Who’s your Uber driver on the phone to? Welcome to the long, long diaspora phone call",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/whos-your-uber-driver-on-the-phone-to-welcome-to-the-long-long",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-30T13:19:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/sep/30/people-are-asking-who-their-uber-drivers-are-on-the-phone-to-welcome-to-the-long-long-diaspora-phone-call"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the world of cab driving, an extended phone call can be a perfect opportunity to navigate the complexities of immigrant life. A reader might be wondering, \"Who are Uber drivers always talking to on the phone?\" This question frequently pops up on social media platforms and even in office conversations. While this reporter is not posing this question, the fact that many people are puzzled by it suggests a significant divide between different communities.\n\nWhen a person books a ride through a ride-hailing app, there's a high likelihood that their driver will be engaged in a lengthy conversation. The dialogue is often punctuated by lengthy pauses, which can make it seem like the driver is not on a call at all. However, as soon as there's a response, a chuckle, or an interjection, the call resumes, continuing for an extended period.",
  "summary": "For those employed in arduous solitary work such as cab driving, a marathon phone call is the perfect place to navigate the dislocations of immigrant life Don’t get The Long Wave delivered to your inbox? Sign up here The question of the week is: “who are Uber drivers always talking to on the phone?” It’s one that regularly surfaces on Reddit threads and social media and even, on a couple of…",
  "key_points": [
    "Uber drivers often engage in long phone calls with family or friends.",
    "The lengthy conversations create an impression of not being on a call.",
    "The calls reflect the complexities of immigrant life."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}