UBER: WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE BANNED THE CONTROVERSIAL TAXI APP
Uber is one of the world’s most popular apps, but it's not without controversy. Transport for London announced on Friday that the ride hailing app's private hire licence will not be renewed after 30 September, as Uber "demonstrate[s] a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications". This is just one of many legal battles, regulatory disagreements and driver strikes that have taken place across the globe, and more than one country has outright banned the leading taxi app.
Here is a comprehensive list of all of the places you won't be able to order an Uber on your next trip away.
EuropeBulgariaUber suspended services after being accused of “unfair trade practices”. The chairperson of the transport committee, Grozdan Karadzhov said that if Uber wants to return to the Bulgarian market, it will have to meet the minimum requirements of legislation and register as a taxi service.
DenmarkTaxi metres have been made mandatory for Danish taxi drivers, meaning Uber was forced to pull out of the market this year after operating there since 2014.
ItalyUber will soon be completely banned from the country, after its business practices were found to “constitute unfair competition”. Uber's services have been blocked, and it is not allowed to advertise. The company is permitted to continue operating until a final court ruling is made, but that time will soon run out.
HungaryThe Hungarian government passed legislation saying that Uber drivers “breach[ed] regulations other taxi firms must adhere to” after allowing them to operate for two and a half years. The new law permits the Hungarian national communications authority to block internet access to "illegal dispatcher services".
Uber has also faced suspensions in Finland, France, Spain and the Netherlands, primarily over its UberPOP service. Barcelona’s main taxi operator accused the company of running an illegal taxi service and is currently awaiting a ruling from the European Court of Justice.
Austin, TexasThe company pulled operations from the Texas city after being told to fingerprint and background check all prospective and current drivers, which it said did nothing to improve safety and penalised minorities.
AlaskaUber operated for six months in the state, before pulling out over a dispute as to whether drivers were independent contractors or registered taxi drivers – which would mean they are entitled to workers' compensation insurance. Uber paid a $77,925 (£60,000) fine to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development over the dispute, before abandoning the Alaskan market. New legislation could change that, but for now the state remains Uber-less.
Uber also faced a huge backlash in the US following Donald Trump’s Muslim ban, when drivers didn’t adhere to a taxi strike in New York City aimed to show solidarity to those affected. #DeleteUber trended worldwide, and hundreds of users deleted the app. Its main competitor, Lyft, capitalised on this boycott by donating $1m (£775,000) to the American Civil Liberties Union and issuing a statement condemning the Muslim ban.