Uber has been fined $7.3 million for refusing to give California regulators information about the ride-hailing company’s business practices, including accident details and how accessible vehicles are to disabled riders.
The decision, handed down by chief administrative law judge Karen V. Clopton at the California Public Utilities Commission, said that Uber has refused to comply with state laws enacted to make sure livery drivers mete out rides fairly to all passengers regardless of their geographic location or circumstances.
Uber has not provided data that would reveal how many requests for rides they received from people with service animals or wheelchairs and how many such rides had been completed. Other data includes information such as time, date, zip codes for pick ups and fares paid by riders.
The regulatory agency said it would allowed Uber and its competitors such as Lyft to operate in the state as long as the companies reported aspects of their activities.
A group of privacy advocates have filed a federal complaint against the rideshare company, saying a tracking feature in its new update threatens users’ rights.
The Los Angeles Times reports Uber’s license to operate in the state will be suspended next month unless the company appeals or a CPUC commissioner requests a review.
In a written statement, Uber spokeswoman Eva Behrend said the company had provided sufficient information and would appeal the ruling.
The California Labor Commission has ruled that an Uber driver should be considered a company employee, not an independent contractor.
“We will appeal the decision as Uber has already provided substantial amounts of data to the California Public Utilities Commission, information we have provided elsewhere with no complaints,” spokeswoman Eva Behrend said. “Going further risks compromising the privacy of individual riders as well as driver-partners.”
Uber has previously tussled with public officials. In Portland, Oregon, for example it had an extended disagreement with the city that led it to suspend operations.
Related:
- How Ruling That Drivers Are Employees Upends Uber Business Model
- Uber Fighting California Driver Lawsuit
- Uber Discloses Expanded Customer Data Tracking
- Commission Rules Uber Drivers Employees, Not Contractors
Topics California Legislation
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