UK — The Register
Uber dodges £340M cabbie lawsuit after drivers miss legal deadline
Mobility1 min read
A London court threw out a £340 million lawsuit that black cab drivers and two former private hire firms brought against Uber. The judge said the claims were filed too late, so he did not decide whether Uber did anything wrong.
What happened
A High Court judge ruled that two claims against Uber cannot go forward. The claims involved about 13,000 London cab drivers and two former private hire companies, Kabbee and Iride. They said Uber misled Transport for London (TfL), the city's transport regulator, to get its operating license. The judge said the claims were filed after the six-year time limit.
Key numbers and facts
- The cabbies wanted almost £200 million for lost earnings.
- Kabbee and Iride wanted another £140 million.
- The claims were filed in May and June 2024.
- Three cabbies first sued Uber in September 2017.
- The time limit for these claims is six years.
Some background
Uber came to London in 2012. The drivers said Uber hid how its booking system worked so it could run in the city. In 2018, Uber admitted it gave TfL and the High Court false information about how its app accepted bookings. A magistrate did not find dishonesty, and Uber got a new 15-month license. The judgment also mentions Greyball, software used to spot suspected regulators, and Ripley, a tool that can lock computers remotely. Uber said Ripley was not used that way in the UK.
Why it matters
This ruling is a win for Uber, but it does not prove Uber is innocent. The judge only said the case came too late. The fraud claims were never tested in court. London's taxi fight also continues. Drivers are now worried about robotaxis, which are driverless cars. Uber is working with the UK startup Wayve to build them.
What to watch
- Whether the cab drivers or the companies appeal the ruling.
- How London's drivers push back on robotaxi plans.
- How Uber and Wayve's self-driving rides in London develop.
Glossary
- Uber
- A company that runs a ride-hailing app, where people book car rides using their phones.
- Transport for London (TfL)
- The government group that runs London's public transport and licenses taxis and ride services.
- Greyball
- Uber software that the article says was used to find suspected regulators.
- Ripley
- A tool the article says can remotely lock computers during regulatory visits.
- Wayve
- A British startup that develops self-driving car technology.