France Takes Its War On Uber Up A Notch: Arrests Top Execs

from the because-that'll-stop-innovation dept

Last week, we noted some bizarre happenings in France, as taxi drivers unwilling to compete against Uber decided to stage a "protest" which actually looked a lot more like a riot. They overturned Uber cars, held passengers and drivers hostage and lit fires around the country. You might think that this updated version of Luddites smashing machines would lead to a similar result -- getting laughed at and confined to the dustbins of history. But, this is France we're talking about. Politicians quickly ordered a crackdown on Uber including ordering law enforcement to seize the cars of Uber drivers.

And, that's not all. Now it's being reported that two of Uber's top French execs have been arrested.

The pair are believed to be Thibault Simphal,the director general of Uber France and Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty,the directorgeneral of Uber Europe.

According to BFM TV the pair are being investigated for "inciting illegal employment", with the Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve having already suggested that the pair's insistence on rolling out UberPop was effectively encouraging individuals to break the law.

We had noted, earlier this year, that French law enforcement had raided Uber's offices in Paris, but still. "Inciting illegal employment?" Are they serious? Has anyone looked at the unemployment rate in France lately? Maybe they need someone out there "inciting illegal employment" because the government doesn't seem to be doing a particularly good job in helping people get employed now, does it?

Cazeneuve continues his role as the cartoonish villain in all of this, making statements that are absolutely bizarre:

"I have given instructions, considering the grave problems with public order and the development of this illegal activity, to the police prefecture in Paris to ban UberPop activities," said Cazeneuve last Thursday.

Cazeneuve also pointed out that Uber could be guilty of the crime of "illicit transportation of people" under article 40 of the penal code, that could be punished by two years in prison and a €300,000.

First of all, "illicit transportation of people?" These are people who want to go somewhere and are happy about the options they have. Why should that be "illicit"?

Second the "grave problems with the public order" are not because of Uber, but because taxi drivers are flipping cars. Why does Cazeneuve not seem even remotely concerned about that?

Filed Under: arrests, bernard cazeneuve, france, illegal employment, unemployment