Uber Suspends Service in Spain

Uber shutdown its operation in Spain Tuesday evening after a judged ordered telecom and payment processing companies to block support to the app based ride-sharing service.

The suspension that was ruled on Dec’ 9 2014 came in effect on Christmas when telecom companies began redirecting traffic, which disable the Uber app as it connects through Uber.com

The company soon found a workaround by updating the algorithm for its Android based app that routed around the blocks imposed on the company’s website, according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, the company had to completely suspend its operations after it received a formal court ruling.

“The Association Madrileña Del Taxi requested a court injunction against Uber,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Today we have received the formal ruling and, in compliance with the December 9th order from the commercial judge and in respect of the law, we are temporarily suspending UberPOP in Spain while we appeal the court ruling and look to develop new options to give Spaniards access to safe, reliable rides.”

The suspension comes after a series of regulatory and passenger safety issues reported around the world. Uber has asked its customer base to support the service on Twitter with hashtag #YoApoyoUber, or “I support Uber.”

Uber has been offering it’s controversial ride-sharing service “UberPop” in Spain, which allowed non-professional drivers to make money using their personal vehicles.

“During this temporary suspension of UberPOP, we will also collaborate with Spanish politicians to develop the modern framework needed to create a permanent home for Uber and the sharing economy — and fortunately Spanish leaders have already been standing up for the innovation economy,” the company wrote.

After receiving another $1.2 billion investment in its latest round of funding, Uber is today one of the fastest growing companies valued at $41 billion.