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> I find it quite baffling because I'm not sure why on earth would I ever petition for a big multinational company known for its shady tactics but here you go

Because you want to use their service, and you want their competitors to be able to play by the same rules. For example, I don't have to have something controversial to say before I defend free speech; I don't have to want to cross any particular private lot before I'd vouch for freedom of movement.

But this whole things started specifically because Uber wasn't playing by the same rules.

Londoners like their servants, but they don't like paying them a living wage. Big cities get very used to people flocking in and pay little regard to conditions people live in. We are always recreating 1840s Manchester, and still we are surprised every time.

My assumption would be that most people aren't aware of the shadiness, or at least the level of it.