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Uber taxi app banned in Spain | Uber taxi app banned in Spain |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A judge has ordered taxi booking service Uber to immediately stop operating in Spain, after a series of protests by taxi associations. | A judge has ordered taxi booking service Uber to immediately stop operating in Spain, after a series of protests by taxi associations. |
In his ruling on the temporary ban, the judge said Uber drivers didn't have official authorisation and accused the service of "unfair competition". | |
The move follows a complaint by the Madrid Taxi Association. | The move follows a complaint by the Madrid Taxi Association. |
The BBC understands that Uber first heard of the hearing through media reports. | |
The technology firm described the Spanish ruling - which has suspended the UberPop ride-sharing service across the country - as "highly unusual". | |
"UberPop is our ride-sharing solution and is about sharing the costs of vehicle ownership and helping people give up their cars," an Uber spokesman said, "and we will continue to run the service". | |
"This ruling is inconsistent with broad political acknowledgement in Spain and across the European Union on the benefits of sharing economy services. | |
"Uber will continue to comply with Spanish law and is currently assessing its legal options under this sudden and unusual proceeding," the spokesman added. | |
Global restraints | |
The Spanish ban comes just a day after Uber was blacklisted in the Indian capital Delhi. | The Spanish ban comes just a day after Uber was blacklisted in the Indian capital Delhi. |
Drivers "lack the administrative authorisation to carry out the job, and the activity they carry out constitutes unfair competition," the Spanish court services said in a statement after the ruling. | Drivers "lack the administrative authorisation to carry out the job, and the activity they carry out constitutes unfair competition," the Spanish court services said in a statement after the ruling. |
The company does not own cars or employ drivers, but connects customers and vehicles through its app, bringing what it says is much needed competition to the taxi industry. | The company does not own cars or employ drivers, but connects customers and vehicles through its app, bringing what it says is much needed competition to the taxi industry. |
It is the latest blow for the San-Francisco based firm, which has faced strong opposition globally from some governments and established taxi firms, including London's "black cab" drivers. | It is the latest blow for the San-Francisco based firm, which has faced strong opposition globally from some governments and established taxi firms, including London's "black cab" drivers. |
On Monday, Uber was banned by officials in Delhi after a driver allegedly raped a female passenger. | On Monday, Uber was banned by officials in Delhi after a driver allegedly raped a female passenger. |
On the same day, judges in The Netherlands banned its UberPop ride-sharing service, which was launched as a pilot project in Amsterdam between July and September and subsequently extended to The Hague and Rotterdam. | On the same day, judges in The Netherlands banned its UberPop ride-sharing service, which was launched as a pilot project in Amsterdam between July and September and subsequently extended to The Hague and Rotterdam. |
"Drivers who transport people for payment without a licence are breaking the law," said the decision from the Hague-based Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal. | "Drivers who transport people for payment without a licence are breaking the law," said the decision from the Hague-based Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal. |
In a statement on Monday, Uber said it would "continue to offer UberPop", despite the threat of a fine of up to €100,000 for itself, and one of up to €40,000 for drivers. | |
Uber has expanded rapidly since its 2009 launch and now operates in more than 250 cities across 50 countries. | Uber has expanded rapidly since its 2009 launch and now operates in more than 250 cities across 50 countries. |
Earlier this month Uber was valued at $40bn (£25.5bn), following its latest round of fund raising. | Earlier this month Uber was valued at $40bn (£25.5bn), following its latest round of fund raising. |