Dutch prosecutors on Saturday announced a criminal probe into Uber, in the latest salvo of an increasingly bitter battle between European Governments and the popular taxi service app. The move comes after a Dutch judge convicted three taxi drivers belonging to Uber’s low-cost service UberPOP of ferrying passengers without a permit and slapping each with US $1,600 fine.
“Uber is now a suspect in light of the judge’s verdict,” the Public Prosecutor’s office announced in a statement. “This means launching a preliminary investigation to gather detail to determine whether Uber is guilty of commercial organisation of illegal passenger transport,” the statement added.
Dutch judges in December banned UberPOP from taking bookings via its smartphone app, threatening the US company with fines of up to 100,000 euros. Uber said it would contest the ruling and continued to offer UberPOP. The Dutch Government has since handed more than 50,000 euros in fines against Uber, Dutch media reported.
Uber uses mobile phone apps to put customers in touch with private drivers who then take them where they want to go, at prices lower than those of traditional taxis. But despite its growing popularity, Uber is facing increasing limits on its activities in EU countries and a barrage of legal challenges spurred on by a furious taxi lobby.