Uber Unfit

London: Uber Unfit to Operate Here, So It Can't

Company's license expires Sept. 30

By Newser Editors and Wire Services

This June 21, 2017, file photo shows the building that houses the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

(NEWSER) – London's transport authority says it won't renew Uber's license to operate in the British capital, arguing that it demonstrates a lack of corporate responsibility with implications in public safety and security. Transport for London says the car-hailing app was not "fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license." It cited Uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offenses and its "approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London"; that's the software Uber reportedly used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app, preventing "officials from undertaking regulator or law enforcement duties."

The AP reports London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he supported the decision, saying any operator of taxi services in the city "needs to play by the rules." He says that "providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security." Uber's current license is up on Sept. 30, but the Guardian reports it can appeal the decision over the next 21 days. It can keep operating "until any appeal processes have been exhausted," per Transport for London.