Uber does not appear to have kicked the habit of getting in trouble with the law as police from South Korea and France raided its offices in their respective countries. To make matters worse, executives from Uber’s South Korean office have been charged with breaking the nation’s laws.
Seoul District Police have booked Uber South Korea’s brand manager, along with several other employees and drivers under suspicion for having broken the country’s transportation laws. Uber had been operating without registration in South Korea by partnering with a local car rental service, and had also been using unlicensed drivers. Uber itself had been taking 20-percent in commission from the partnership.
Another investigation into Uber’s breach of South Korea’s information laws is similarly taking place, as the company has been accused of not registering its app with the Korea Communication Commission. Seoul District Police also plan to investigate the company for further unjust profits. An Uber South Korea spokesman, however, has denied any wrongdoing on the part of the company; and has clarified that the company is cooperating fully with the police.
Half way across the world, French police raided Uber’s office in Paris; seizing documents and smartphones used by drivers. Uber itself is not banned in France, but has managed to run afoul of the new legislation that allows it to operate in the country. Ride sharing drivers require licenses and insurance, but UberPop drivers have been operating with neither. This is a situation rather similar to the conditions placed on Uber drivers in Malaysia, although it appears the Uber office in this country is better at cooperating with authorities.
Uber France has told French newspaper l’Obs that the raid conducted on its office is a “disproportionate attempt to intimidate” the company. The French branch also considers the action to have been taken on “shaky legal ground“. It appears that Uber is remaining unrepentant at flouting regulations that were put in place to allow it to operate legally.
Uber itself has been facing massive problems with authorities since its inception, and has been banned in several countries. It’s approach of acting first before any considering the legal implications have landed the company in hot water more than once, although the popularity of ride sharing services among regular commuters is undeniable.
