Tech or transport co... what's there to decide?
Several departments in the Commission are now working together in examining the complaints as they struggle to decide whether Uber is a tech or transport company.
Seems like a tech company to me. They provide software, a platform, for connecting passengers to drivers. They do not supply, operator or maintain vehicles. They do not test, evaluate or qualify drivers.
Not sure why it needs several departments to figure this out. It is the European Commission, I guess that's the only reason it needs.
Whatever the eventual, probably glacial, decision, this should not make Uber drivers exempt from taxi regulations. The drivers are providing transport in return for a fare, same as a taxi. Then it gets a bit grey since if you're going to enforce the same taxi driver regs on Uber drivers, they should be allowed to do the same as taxi drivers. Which sounds like what the Belgian chap is proposing.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
