California levied a $7.3 million fine against Uber, the taxi-alternative company, after its leaders refused to divulge information to state regulators about the way it conducts business.
The fine, levied by an administrative law judge with the California Public Utilities Commission, came Wednesday as a result of the commission’s complaints that Uber refused to answer questions about such issues as when drivers turn down ride requests and
disabled accessibility, The Associated Press reported.
The commission had complained that Uber and other such companies were allowed to do business in California if they provided company information to the regulating agency, the AP said.
"Uber has already provided substantial amounts of data to the California Public Utilities Commission, information we have provided elsewhere with no complaints," Uber spokesperson Eva Behrend said in a statement quoted by the AP. She also said providing any other information would affect the privacy of company passengers and drivers.
Behrend also said the company would appeal the decision.
Uber has faced legal battles across the country and the world as it sets up business. Just as the fine was announced this week in California, the company denounced a New York City plan to cap its business in the Big Apple,
the New York Daily News reported.
Transportation officials in New York want to cap the number of Uber cars — and Uber is fighting back on several fronts, the News said. One is a new tab that pops up when someone opens the Uber app for NYC. If tapped on, the user can email Mayor Bill de Blasio to express his or her dissatisfaction with what the company says will be extended waiting times if the cap is put in place.
In Hillsborough, Florida, the company may not be allowed to operate in the city after transportation officials
cited safety concerns, WTSP reported. The argument there is whether Uber is basically a high-tech taxi service, which would mean it falls under safety regulations that taxi companies are held to, or whether it’s a new kind of business.