Uber denies targeting ex-engineer in claimed ‘smear campaign’

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, seen here in 2012, established a rough-edged culture. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, seen here in 2012, established a rough-edged culture. Photo: Siana Hristova, The Chronicle Photo: Siana Hristova, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Uber denies targeting ex-engineer in claimed ‘smear campaign’ 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Susan Fowler, the former engineer whose detailed recounting of sexual harassment and management infighting at Uber prompted CEO Travis Kalanick to apologize for the rough-edged culture he created at the San Francisco ride-hailing company, said Friday on Twitter that she was the target of a “smear campaign.”

“Research for the smear campaign has begun. If you are contacted by anyone asking for personal and intimate info about me, please report ASAP,” she wrote on Twitter. “I don't know who is doing this or why. If someone contacts you, please send me their contact information immediately.”

“This behavior is wrong and Uber is absolutely not involved in it,” Uber spokeswoman MoMo Zhou said.

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Kalanick opened an investigation Sunday into Fowler’s experiences at the company, where she said human-resources workers brushed off her complaints about her manager because he was “high-performing.” The company hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct the investigation.

In 2014, Uber Chief Operating Officer Emil Michael floated the idea of spending $1 million to hire researchers to investigate journalists who wrote articles critical of the company. The company said it never pursued Michael’s plan, and he said he regretted his remarks.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Carolyn Said contributed reporting.

Owen Thomas is the San Francisco Chronicle’s business editor. Email: othomas@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @owenthomas