Uber has developed a system called Ripley that locks down staff computers to prevent police and officials retrieving company data.

According to Bloomberg, in 2015 and 2016, the taxi company is to have used the “secret system” in France, Hong Kong, Canada, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Uber first developed the system after a police raid in its Brussels office, where Belgian law enforcement officers accessed the company’s financial documents, payments system, and worker data.

‘Protecting corporate and customer data’

It was also deployed to stop Canadian tax investigators from collecting evidence, because of them believing Uber violates its laws.

“Like every company with offices around the world, we have security procedures in place to protect corporate and customer data,” said an Uber spokeswoman.

“When it comes to government investigations, it’s our policy to cooperate with all valid searches and requests for data.”

Uber also noted the tool was a common practice to remotely change passwords or lock devices in the event they were lost or stolen, according to The Guardian.

Written by Leah Alger