Wouldn't you call drivers (one half of) the customers of Uber? Uber don't hire the drivers (as far as I'm aware), the drivers use Uber to find fares.

Drivers are independent contractors, not employees.

That's the company line, sure.

The IRS sees it that way too.. Just because you consider them employees doesn't make them employees.

Only in USA. And this only after paying $ 100M to settle lawsuit (http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-uber-law...) - they literally paid for drvrs not being considered employees in LA. Until next case.

In EU, they're considered what they are: nice gimmick to shift company cost to workers, and taxate workers salary with 20% tax, while having (on company side) fixed cost: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/07/uber-drivers-app-rideshar...