EU: Uber files complaint with EC against Hungary

Ride-hailing app Uber filed a complaint on Wednesday with the European Commission against Hungary, where legislation came into force in July practically banning the service.

Rob Khazzam, Uber’s general manager for Central Europe, told The Associated Press that the company’s aim was to return the service to Budapest, where it began operations in late 2014. Uber had 160,000 users and 1,200 drivers in Hungary.

“We want to bring back a service that has been embraced by so many people,” Khazzam said. “We want to ensure that people in Hungary have access to a service that is available in almost all other European Union countries.”

Legislation approved by parliament in June and enforced from July 24 allows authorities to fine Uber and similar services, block their websites and apps, ban the cars of drivers for up to three years and suspend their licenses for six months.

The government denied banning Uber, saying that the company itself decided to leave the country.

“We are ready to undergo any ‘examination,’” government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said regarding Uber’s complaint. “We only asked one thing of Uber — to respect the rules which apply to everyone in Hungary.”

Full Content: US News

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.