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What does the Uber decision mean? What does London’s Uber ban mean?
(35 minutes later)
Taxi-hailing app Uber is set to lose its London licence at the end of the month after a ruling from regulators at Transport for London (TfL).Taxi-hailing app Uber is set to lose its London licence at the end of the month after a ruling from regulators at Transport for London (TfL).
However, the US tech firm has said it plans to appeal against the ruling.However, the US tech firm has said it plans to appeal against the ruling.
That has made it unclear whether Uber will stop being available to its 3.5 million customers in London.That has made it unclear whether Uber will stop being available to its 3.5 million customers in London.
Uber also has more than 40,000 drivers in London, who now face an anxious wait to find out the fate of the company's licence.Uber also has more than 40,000 drivers in London, who now face an anxious wait to find out the fate of the company's licence.
What has Uber done wrong?What has Uber done wrong?
TfL has ruled it will not renew Uber's private hire operator licence after it expires on Saturday 30 September.TfL has ruled it will not renew Uber's private hire operator licence after it expires on Saturday 30 September.
The body, which operates London's public transport network and regulates taxis in the capital, said Uber was "not fit and proper" to hold the licence.The body, which operates London's public transport network and regulates taxis in the capital, said Uber was "not fit and proper" to hold the licence.
There were potential public safety and security implications from the way the company is run, TfL said.There were potential public safety and security implications from the way the company is run, TfL said.
It pointed to Uber's approach to: reporting serious criminal offences; obtaining medical certificates; and background checks into drivers.It pointed to Uber's approach to: reporting serious criminal offences; obtaining medical certificates; and background checks into drivers.
Uber's use of secret software - called "Greyball" - which could be used to block regulators from gaining full access to the app, was also cited by TfL in its decision.Uber's use of secret software - called "Greyball" - which could be used to block regulators from gaining full access to the app, was also cited by TfL in its decision.
The company rejected TfL's claims that it endangers public safety and said Greyball had never been used in the UK.The company rejected TfL's claims that it endangers public safety and said Greyball had never been used in the UK.
So when might Uber no longer be available in London?So when might Uber no longer be available in London?
Uber has 21 days to lodge an appeal, and the firm indicated it would do just that.Uber has 21 days to lodge an appeal, and the firm indicated it would do just that.
It said straight after TfL's decision that it intended to "immediately challenge this in the courts".It said straight after TfL's decision that it intended to "immediately challenge this in the courts".
That makes it hard to predict whether Uber will stop operating in London.That makes it hard to predict whether Uber will stop operating in London.
TfL says Uber can "continue to operate until any appeal processes have been exhausted".TfL says Uber can "continue to operate until any appeal processes have been exhausted".
How long that might be - whether it would be weeks, months or even longer - is too difficult to say, sources close to the process suggested.How long that might be - whether it would be weeks, months or even longer - is too difficult to say, sources close to the process suggested.
Can Uber's rivals capitalise?Can Uber's rivals capitalise?
London's traditional black cab drivers have fiercely opposed Uber's presence in London.London's traditional black cab drivers have fiercely opposed Uber's presence in London.
And Uber - which was granted a five-year licence in London in 2012 - has proved a big threat to minicab firms too.And Uber - which was granted a five-year licence in London in 2012 - has proved a big threat to minicab firms too.
TfL's decision provides a big opportunity for those minicab firms to win back customers, says Joseph Evans, an analyst at Enders Analysis.TfL's decision provides a big opportunity for those minicab firms to win back customers, says Joseph Evans, an analyst at Enders Analysis.
"If they fail at appeal and they can't get a licence to operate in London, obviously it's a huge opportunity for rivals," he says."If they fail at appeal and they can't get a licence to operate in London, obviously it's a huge opportunity for rivals," he says.
"Behind the scenes, without many people noticing, minicab firms have rolled out very similar tech at competitive prices," he adds."Behind the scenes, without many people noticing, minicab firms have rolled out very similar tech at competitive prices," he adds.
They now offer app booking, quicker pick-up, better transparency on where drivers are, and mobile payments.They now offer app booking, quicker pick-up, better transparency on where drivers are, and mobile payments.
Hasn't Uber hit trouble elsewhere in the world?Hasn't Uber hit trouble elsewhere in the world?
Yes. Uber left the Texas city of Austin last year after it lost a referendum requiring strict background checks on its drivers.Yes. Uber left the Texas city of Austin last year after it lost a referendum requiring strict background checks on its drivers.
The company has since returned after making some changes, and the same could happen in London, predicts BBC North American tech correspondent Dave Lee.The company has since returned after making some changes, and the same could happen in London, predicts BBC North American tech correspondent Dave Lee.
Uber has also run into trouble in Europe, including in Paris and Denmark. Uber has also run into trouble in major European cities, including in Paris, Brussels and Madrid.
In June 2014, taxi drivers across Europe went on strike in protest at what they regarded as a lack of regulation of the mobile taxi-booking service.
In September that same year, a court in Frankfurt, Germany, ruled that the firm lacked the necessary legal permits to operate under German law. Uber later withdrew its services from Frankfurt, Hamburg and Dusseldorf after its business was crippled by regulations.
New laws for drivers introduced in Denmark in 2016, including mandatory meters, also saw the company pulling out after less than three years of service in the country. The firm said in a statement that "regulations need to change" in order for it to operate.
Uber was banned in Italy earlier this year after a court in Rome upheld a complaint by taxi unions that the firm represented unfair competition for traditional taxis.