Authorities in Spain and Thailand have ordered Uber to cease operations in their countries, marking one of the latest bad turns for the ridesharing company, on the heels of a similar order in New Delhi following a driver’s alleged rape.
A judge in Madrid ruled Tuesday that Uber must halt its service throughout Spain until a taxi association’s lawsuit challenging its right to operate is heard, the New York Times reports. Uber said in a statement that the ruling was “inconsistent with broad political acknowledgment in Spain and across the European Union on the benefits of sharing economy services.’’
See Uber Protests From Around the World
French Taxi drivers burn tires as they protest in the southern city of Marseille on June 25, 2015 as they demonstrate against UberPOP, a popular taxi app that is facing fierce opposition from traditional cabs. Anne-Christine Poujoulat—AFP/Getty ImagesPolice officers in riot gear attempt to flip a car back onto it's wheels at Porte Maillot on June 25, 2015 in Paris. Protesters blocked roads to airports and train stations, overturning cars and setting tires on fire.Guillaume de Senneville—Demotix/CorbisHundreds of taxi drivers gather next to the Olympia Stadium to protest ride-sharing apps on June 11, 2014 in Berlin.Sean Gallup—Getty ImagesA demonstrator kicks a car, suspected of being a private taxi during a 24 hour taxi strike and protest in Madrid on June 11, 2014. Paul White—APA taxi driver listens to speeches by his colleagues, during an Europe-wide protest of licensed taxi drivers against taxi hailing apps that are feared to flush unregulated private drivers into the market, in front of the Olympic stadium in Berlin on June 11, 2014. Thomas Peter—ReutersTaxi drivers hold a banner during a protest in Barcelona on June 11, 2014. Josep Lago—AFP/Getty ImagesLondon taxi's line up on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London.Dan Kitwood—Getty ImagesTaxi drivers park their cars and honk the horn in protest on Pennsylvania Avenue, bringing street traffic to a stop as they demand an end to ride sharing services such as Uber X and Lyft on June 25, 2014, in Washington.PAUL J. RICHARDS—AFP/Getty ImagesAn Italian taxi driver distributes leaflets reading "Don't take an illegal taxi, take a white regular taxi" during a protest on June 11, 2014 in Rome.ANDREAS SOLARO—AFP/Getty ImagesTaxis drivers block a highway outside Paris, near Roissy on June 11, 2014, as they take part in a demonstration to protest the growing number of minicabs, known in France as Voitures de Tourisme avec Chauffeurs (VTC). Fred Dufour—AFP/Getty Images
In Bangkok, Reuters reports, transport officials ordered Uber to cease operations across Thailand after discovering some of the company’s drivers were unlicensed and uninsured to drive commercial vehicles.
The bans follow two other setbacks that Uber faced Monday: officials in New Delhi gave Uber the red light after a female passenger accused her driver of rape, and a Dutch court ruled that UberPop drivers without taxi licenses would be subjected to fines. And, in Paris, a court is expected to rule Friday on keeping or halting the start-up in France.
