Uber executives face trial over 'deceptive practices'

Two Uber France managers have been ordered to stand trial on behalf of the San Francisco-based company on charges including "deceptive commercial practices" and complicity in illegal activities linked to its low-cost ride-hailing service.

The Paris prosecutor's office said on Tuesday that Thibault Simphal and Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty were taken into custody on Monday after a police sweep at Uber France headquarters. They will appear in a Paris court on Sept 30.

The investigation focused on one of the company's several local transport options known as UberPOP that allows passengers to book rides with nonprofessional drivers via their mobile phones, infuriating taxi operators.

Uber has provoked protests by taxi drivers from London to New Delhi as it upends traditional business models that require professional drivers to pay often steep fees for licenses to operate cabs.

In the past five years, the company has expanded into 250 cities and 57 countries with its smartphone app that connects drivers with passengers with little concern for local regulations or practices.

In France, the backlash intensified last week when taxi drivers blockaded major transport hubs to protest against what they call unfair competition.

French authorities are frustrated that Uber does not pay the same taxes and social charges as traditional taxis, whose drivers have lashed out against what they see as unfair competition. Uber, meanwhile, argues that the French system is outdated and needs reform to keep up with apps.

Uber said in a statement that its general managers for France and western Europe were questioned on Monday.

Reuters - AP

(China Daily 07/01/2015 page12)