Luxury taxi company Wheely is engaged in a legal dispute with New York City over a mandate requiring all for-hire vehicles to submit detailed trip data. Wheely, which caters to wealthy and celebrity clientele with unmarked vehicles and strict nondisclosure agreements for its drivers, argues that the city's requirement to provide monthly records of pickups, drop-offs, and locations constitutes "state surveillance."

Founded by Anton Chirkunov in London in 2012, Wheely has expanded to Paris and Dubai, emphasizing discretion and high-end service. Its drivers, who attend a "Chauffeur Academy" and can earn up to $12,000 a month, are integral to the company's promise of privacy. Wheely entered the New York market in March and is now challenging the city requirement that tracks millions of riders annually.

Chirkunov stated, "We believe that riders have the right to travel in their city without their movements being tracked by the government." The company contends this data collection infringes on the privacy of its discerning clientele, who value the complete discretion Wheely aims to provide.