Hace of the shadows for Uber in Western Europe, Mark MacGann is at the origin of the Uber Files in France. This investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), based on 124,000 internal documents, exposes the links between American society and Emmanuel Macron when he was Minister of the Economy (2014-2016). Several French media partners, including The world and Radio France, concluded that there was a secret “deal” between the VTC company and the future president. Initially anonymous, Mark MacGann decided to come out of silence in an interview with Guardian, the British newspaper that originally received his documents, on July 11. A way for the former Uber lobbyist to become a “whistleblower”, considering himself “partly responsible” for the working conditions of drivers in France.
Meetings would have taken place in the office of the ex-minister in Bercy, the minutes of which were written by the lobbyist Mark MacGann. Some practices would have been intended to help the American multinational to consolidate its positions in France, such as suggesting to present “turnkey” amendments to deputies. “I was the one who said that the regulations had to be changed and that it was going to benefit the drivers, that it was going to create so many economic opportunities. It turned out that was not the case. We sold people a lie,” admitted the 52-year-old Irishman to the Guardianaccording to comments reported by Radio France.
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The consequences for his private life
By exposing his identity publicly, Mark MacGann wants to “make amends”. “How can you have peace of mind if you don’t take your own responsibility for the way people are treated today? “he declared in the columns of the Guardianwhose interview was also relayed in full by The world in France. Former influential collaborator of Uber between 2014 and 2016, the ex-lobbyist was recruited to “implement [la] strategy [de l’entreprise] to governments”. Thus, convincing the authorities to authorize the establishment of the American firm while the rules in force were unfavorable to it.
Nearby Guardian, Mark MacGann spoke of his ease in coming into contact with high-ranking personalities. “Never in my career have I had such easy access to senior officials, heads of government, heads of state. I think Uber was at the time, in the tech world, and perhaps in the business world in general, the most coveted actor, “he said, without denying the consequences of the taxi crisis in France on his own private life. Blaming Uber for unfair competition, drivers would have attacked the lobbyist, through insults on social networks, but also verbal attacks in airports or death threats against his family.
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