Stop everything! We may be losing our beloved Uber in L.A.? It turns out that the car service that changed everything now has 30 days to avoid being suspended from operating in California and getting hit with a hefty $7.3 million fine.
Why? As the L.A. Times reports, the potential penalties are the result of Uber not abiding by a 2013 state law that strives to ensure all passengers have a fair shot at being provided rides. And Uber has not provided the data to prove they are complying with this law.
According to the California Public Utilities Commission's statement, this unreported data includes the number of accessible vehicles requested and accepted, and the number of rides requested and accepted within each zip code. In short, Uber drivers could be discriminating against passengers because of disability or location.
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In short, Uber drivers could be discriminating against passengers because of disability or location.
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But that alleged discrimination is going to end quickly, at least if chief administrative law judge Karen V. Clopton of the CPUC — who suggested the suspension and fines — has anything to do with it. Though the Times reports that Uber plans to appeal, Clopton's recommendation could go into effect soon until Uber coughs up the numbers.
This is hardly the first time the ride-sharing company has been in hot water. The company has faced sexual-assault allegations and has been outed for sketchy privacy breaches. Most recently, the California Labor Commission ruled that a San Francisco Uber driver had been misclassified as an independent contractor, when she was actually an employee.
It remains to be seen whether the company can continue to bounce back from allegation after allegation. Mark your calendars: The next 30 days should be telling. Head over to the L.A. Times for more on the case.