Uber CEO defends controversial tactics to recruit Lyft drivers

Uber's CEO is defending the company's controversial program to recruit drivers away from rival ride service Lyft.

TheVerge.com reports Uber has been hiring contractors who call for Lyft rides, get in the car, and try to recruit the driver.

Internal documents suggest the company also gave its brand ambassadors special burner phones and credit card numbers to create fake accounts.

The Verge even posted images of an online form where Uber could collect information about Lyft drivers.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has defended the practice, saying the contractors paid for the rides and that Lyft drivers are independent contractors.