UPDATED 08:18 EST / DECEMBER 22 2014

NEWS

Uber faces more woe in Taiwan, Chinese city of Chongqing

uberxAnother day, another woeful tale for Uber Inc., with news out of Taiwan and China that the rideshare service is once again in trouble with authorities.

The Taiwan Government said Monday that Uber is not licensed to provide transport and is instead currently licensed to provide information services, suggesting that Uber has registered its app with the Government, but not its actual drivers.

The Department of Transport and Communication is currently looking to see if it is able to block access to Uber’s website and apps so as to prevent the provision of its unlicensed rideshare services.

It may not be all bad for Uber though, with a spokesman telling Reuters, “if Uber obtains the proper licence it can continue operating in Taiwan…the company has not made clear how it plans to proceed.”

Across the Taiwan Strait in mainland China, the Chongqing Government is investigating whether Uber’s use of private drivers was legal under local law.

It has reportedly said that private drivers operating without a commercial licence would be “classified as illegal behaviour” and that it would fine unlicensed drivers participating in ridesharing services 30,000 yuan($4800) to 100,000 yuan ($16,605.)  It did not say whether it would be targeting Uber as well as its drivers.

It’s yet another two cases to add to Uber’s long list of problems when it comes to dealing with local laws. The company is currently facing problems and bans in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, California, Victoria (Australia),  Portland Oregon (service currently suspended, and New Dehli… and those are just the ones we can remember in the last month.

The issues don’t seem to be deterring investors however, with Uber raising $1.2 billion on a $41 billion valuation December 5th, and a subsequent $600 million December 12th.


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