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Uber Shut Down In Multiple Countries Following Raids
wired_parrot (768394) writes "Worldwide raids were carried out against Uber offices in Germany, France and South Korea. In Germany, the raids followed a court ruling banning Uber from operating without a license. In Paris, raids followed an investigation into deceptive practices. And in South Korea, 30 people, including Uber's CEO, were charged with running an illegal taxi service."
Just know that Germany is extremely protectionist on many fronts. For instance, every household has to pay over 20 euro each month to the VERY WELL OFF TV companies whether you want to or not. Or if you have a painting and auction it off, a portion goes off to the artists and their families for several generations, (often to collection agencies since said artist is dead), regardless of how you bought the painting/artwork and the arrangement at time of purchase. Let's not mention how their RIAA (GEMA) was so greedy, they couldn't make a deal with youtube for videos. You can't even buy common off-the-shelf drugs that would cost $20 for a couple hundred in the US, but rather have to pay a pharmacy like a buck a piece for there.
It's quite hostile to the free market on multiple fronts.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
Ubers plan for for entering a new markets has always been to start the service under the radar without asking permission. Once the have reached a certain number of users, a critical mass of sorts, they start advertising the service heavily relying on the user base to make a big stink if the regulatory agencies or courts try to stop them. In South Korea they went as far as offering free rides to everyone in order to keep in line with regulations but mostly to influence public opinion. The powers that be were clearly not amused.
If Uber were a food company they would be one of the ones written about by Upton Sinclair.
A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
Funny how taxi companies seem to be more tightly regulated than banks.
I guess Uber doesn't buy better press. Last I checked, rape was illegal in the countries mentioned in the story. Maybe these localities should enforce existing law, assuming there actually is a problem to worry about.
Perhaps you should read the article, that's exactly what they are doing- enforcing the law. Laws which say things such as "You have to conduct background checks and if someone has a rape conviction... don't let them drive people around for you."
But then I don't have any problem with the established oligopolies not having to follow that crap either.
That's a pretty broad claim to make. This isn't just a few places in the US getting pissed, it's pretty much every country they've started up business in.
Look, if you want to drive people around and get paid for it, there are things you have to do as a result. You need to carry insurance which covers your passengers. You need to prove your drivers are competent. You need to keep your vehicle maintained. You need to pay taxes on your income. You need to know who you're employing or contracting with. You're using the public roadways to make a profit, so some of that should go back to the public to help maintain the roadways.
Uber's business model it to try and circumvent or outright ignore as many costs as possible. They aren't trying to find ways to make things cheaper, but rather finding ways to shift the burden onto other people- the drivers, the public, and the passengers.
I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but why can't they simply fall under limo laws? A limo can't be hailed, but can pick you up at the airport.