Uber’s international troubles cut deep
The ride-booking organization is on the hook for more than $1 million after breaking French law with regards to drivers’ licences. Here’s how the brand responded.
A Paris court smacked Uber with a $1.1 million fine for illegally operating UberPOP from February 2014 to July 2015.
Two executives were compelled to testify and will also face fines.
The hefty fine is another step in Uber’s battle with cities over its “right to operate” without specially licensed drivers. In December 2014, taxi drivers blocked major highways in Paris in protest of the double standard.
The fracas started the same way many anti-Uber movements start—with a group of taxi drivers protesting Uber’s ability to employ drivers who don’t have professional licenses.
Under French law—as of 2015—chauffeurs must possess a professional license. Despite that, UberPOP continued to operate while an appeals court reviewed the law.
Uber France CEO Thibaud Simphal and Uber Europe GM Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty were arrested last summer and accused of running an illegal taxi company. Both were convicted this month, found guilty of deceptive commercial practices and operating an illegal transportation service.
They’ll pay fines of €30,000 and €20,000, respectively, but they’re expected to avoid any prison time.
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