Snapchat Inc.’s vice president of public policy and communications, hired a year ago from Google Inc., is now leaving for the same position at ride-hailing app Uber Technologies Inc.

The hiring of Jill Hazelbaker, confirmed Tuesday, gives fast-growing Uber another political veteran to push back against authorities worldwide deciding what rules the world’s most valuable private technology company must play by.

The company, with a private-market valuation of more than $50 billion, already has on board David Plouffe, former campaign manager for President Obama, and Rachel Whetstone, Hazelbaker's old boss at Google.

Fast-expanding Uber is dealing with lawsuits in California that could turn its workforce of contract drivers into employees and lead operating costs to skyrocket. Some cities want to ban the car service altogether. Other authorities want to see stricter background checks on drivers and other requirements aimed at protecting consumers.

Snapchat has had troubles, but not of the same magnitude. The entertainment app company with more than 100 million users has drawn scorn from residents in Marina del Rey and Venice, where its headquarters have spread out across several buildings housing several hundred employees. It’s also faced scrutiny about security and privacy practices.

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Los Angeles Times