Uber appoints Barney Harford as chief operating officer

Uber’s new appointment comes as the ride-hailing firm faces allegations of sexual harassment, data privacy violations, and a criminal investigation over alleged trade-secrets theft.

Uber Technologies Inc said on Wednesday that the ride-hailing firm has appointed Barney Harford as chief operating officer, as the company looks to fill positions left vacant after key staff quit in recent months.

The headquarters of Uber in San Francisco. Uber has appointed Barney Harford as its chief operating officer. (AP)

Harford, a former chief executive officer of online travel website Orbitz, will join Uber on January 2, Uber said in a statement.

Uber is facing a host of problems, including allegations of sexual harassment, data privacy violations, and a criminal investigation over alleged trade-secrets theft.

New CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who replaced co-founder Travis Kalanick in August, has been critical of past practices and vowed a new era of compliance.