Uber Loses Its License to Operate in London

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

Uber’s recent controversies are affecting the company.

Regulator Transport for London (TfL) has found Uber unfit to operate as a taxi service in London and has stripped the company of its license. TfL has said Uber’s “approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential safety and security implications. As a result, TfL will not renew Uber London’s license once it expires on September 30.

The regulator specifically pointed out Uber’s approach to reporting serious criminal offenses, background checks on drivers, and the software called Greyball that could be used to block regulators from having full access to the Uber app.

SEE ALSO: Uber Used Secret Software to Hide From Authorities: Report

With around 40,000 drivers in London, Uber is naturally contesting the decision, and for now, it can continue to operate until the appeals process is exhausted – which could take months.

The ride-sharing company has been in the spotlight multiple times in recent months, including scandals involving allegations of sexism and bullying that resulted in former CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick being forced out of the company.

Users in London aren’t exactly happy with the news with an online petition against the decision getting over 200,000 signatures within five hours.

[Source: Reuters]

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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