Welcome to the Tech Meme Ride Home for Friday, February 19th, 2021. I'm Brian McCullough today.

Uber has lost one of its most significant independent contractor battles in this case in the UK.

The Android 12 developer preview is here.

Office 2021 is coming and of course the weekend long read suggestions here's what you

miss today in the world of tech.

In a major blow to Uber and other gig economy companies.

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Uber drivers should be classified as workers, not independent

contractors, concluding what has been a five-year high-profile legal battle, quoting

CMBC. Judges voted unanimously to dismiss Uber's appeal

against the ruling. The decision could have huge

implications for Uber's UK business,

as well as the wider gig economy. In 2016 an

Employment Tribunal ruled in favor of drivers led by Yasin Aslem and James

Ferrar who claimed they were workers employed by Uber and therefore

entitled to certain labor protections. The Supreme Court ruling could

jeopardize Uber's business model in the UK resulting in higher costs for the

firm. Though it only concerns drivers involved in the 2016 case,

it sets an important precedent that could affect other Uber drivers

and gig workers.

Uber will now have to go back to the employment tribunal

to determine compensation for the

concern drivers. There are around a thousand similar claims against the

...