CNBC AI News, May 22 — A recent incident involving a driver for Chinese ride-hailing platform CaoCao Mobility has highlighted ethical and legal challenges in the sharing economy. On May 18, a driver in Beijing reportedly found a passenger’s smartphone left behind in the vehicle and placed it in a storage pouch attached to the front seat. When the passenger called the device to locate it, the driver initially denied having seen the phone, according to witness accounts.
The moment was captured by a subsequent passenger sitting in the backseat, who recorded the interaction and later shared the footage on a popular short-video platform. The clip quickly drew public attention, prompting CaoCao Mobility to launch an internal investigation.
In a statement to CNBC, the company confirmed it had reviewed in-car audio records and trip logs, contacted both the passenger and driver, and facilitated the phone’s return by late May 19. The driver’s account has been temporarily suspended pending a formal review, and offline discussions with the driver are underway to determine appropriate disciplinary action.
The case underscores broader legal obligations for service providers in China’s gig economy. Under the Civil Code, individuals who find lost property are required to return it to the owner or face potential liability. If an item cannot be returned, courts may order compensation based on its depreciated value, along with additional costs for data recovery or transportation. While finders may request reasonable reimbursement for storage or delivery, demands perceived as excessive could lead to criminal accusations such as extortion.
CaoCao Mobility emphasized its “zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct” and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and service quality. The platform’s response reflects growing scrutiny of China’s mobility sector, where user trust remains a critical differentiator in an increasingly competitive market. As regulatory frameworks evolve, how companies balance operational efficiency with ethical accountability will likely shape their long-term viability.
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