Ahead of Protests, Waymo Scales Back Robotaxi Service Nationwide

Waymo will temporarily limit robotaxi service in all of its nationwide markets, the company said Friday, as US cities prepare for a wave of protests of federal immigration policies and law enforcement and military crackdowns on demonstrators. The Alphabet subsidiary will stop service in Los Angeles altogether.

Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp confirmed the service pause and adjustments but declined to comment further. There is no indication how long the service changes will last.

The adjustments will affect service in San Francisco; Austin, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Phoenix, Arizona. On Friday afternoon, some San Francisco riders saw in-app messages showing that all of the company’s robotaxis were busy, and so unable to pick up rides.

The move comes a week after protesters set fire to five autonomous taxis operated by the company in downtown Los Angeles. Images of the fires went viral on social media, and became a flashpoint in discussions about protester violence and the role tech plays in citizen surveillance. The incident raised questions about the camera and sensor data collected by Waymo on public roads, and how or if it’s shared with law enforcement. Earlier this week, Karp told WIRED that the company generally challenges data requests that are overly broad or don’t have a sound legal basis. She declined to comment on specific cases.

Waymo sometimes adjusts service areas ahead of major events marked by large crowds and traffic, including sports matches and concerts, and in response to incidents like fires or floods where road safety is a concern.