The 'Uber' Taxi App Has Been Banned In Germany, But It'll Carry On As Normal

Taxi booking app Uber is facing fresh controversy, as it’s just been banned in all of Germany. The company has been quoted as saying it’ll carry on operating regardless - even though it could potentially face a fine of up to €250,000 (£198,000) per journey - as it considers the ban unenforceable. The ruling came from a court in Frankfurt on Tuesday, where it was deemed that the company does not have the necessary permits to operate legally in the country.

The app works by connecting users to self-employed private hire drivers, but it’s faced heavy opposition from traditional taxi companies, many of which believe Uber to be flouting laws designed to protect passengers from unlicensed taxis in order to undercut rivals. Taxi drivers around the world - including in Germany - have held protests against the company. One such protest organised in London in June hugely backfired when the press coverage gave Uber an 850 per cent increase in downloads.