Uber has suffered another defeat at the European Court of Justice after judges upheld a French ban of its ride-sharing service UberPop.
The French government banned the service in 2015, saying it broke laws prohibiting taxi platforms from using unlicensed drivers carrying fewer than 10 passengers.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, Uber appealed the decision, arguing that France should have notified the European Commission about legislation under which it faced criminal charges.
Yesterday’s ruling means member states can use criminal law to “prohibit and punish” illegal transport activities without informing regulators in Brussels.
It comes just a few months after the ECJ ruled that the ride-hailing app should be regulated like a traditional taxi company instead of a digital service, “opening it up to tougher transport national legislation”, the FT says.
Uber is facing the most turbulent times of its short history, after a world-conquering rise.
The company has been hit by a wave of sexism and bullying allegations, as well as disputes about the status of drivers and a US inquiry into its use of software to hide drivers from US officials.
In September, Transport for London refused to renew Uber’s licence to operate in the capital, criticising the tech giant for a “lack of corporate responsibility”. York and Sheffield have since followed suit.
Responding to the latest ruling, Uber said it is “appropriate to regulate services such as Uber” and pledged to “continue the dialogue” with authorities in European cities, according to AFP.
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
The France-Indonesia push for an Israeli-Palestinian two-state solutionTalking Points Both countries have said a two-state solution is the way to end the Middle East conflict
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
What does the Le Pen verdict mean for the future of French politics?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Convicted of embezzlement and slapped with a five year ban on running for public office, where does arch-conservative Marine Le Pen go from here — and will the movement she leads follow?
