: Uber paid for studies that backed its business model, and is fighting disclosure of current lobbying efforts

Uber Technologies Inc. reportedly paid high-profile academics in the United States and Europe to produce reports that could be used in the company’s lobbying, while continuing to fight a push to disclose more information about its current lobbying.

The Guardian reported Tuesday based on files leaked by a former Uber executive that the company paid academics hundreds of thousands of dollars to create and promote reports that justify the ride-hailing company’s business model — of using drivers it does not directly employ — as…