Exclusive-Dutch regulator fines Uber $966 million for automating driver suspensions

Amsterdam, August 21: The Dutch Data Protection Authority has imposed a hefty €825 million ($966 million) fine on Uber for its automated driver suspensions, without providing sufficient prior notice to affected drivers. This fine, the second-largest under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), only behind Meta's €1.2 billion penalty in 2023, for unlawful data transfers to the US.

Uber strongly disagrees with this decision, alleging it to be disproportionate. The Dutch regulator confirmed the penalty, stating that Uber's system had deactivated driver accounts without human intervention, causing drivers to lose immediate income. In contrast, Uber's spokesperson maintains that the company's policies include both human review and the ability for drivers to contest suspensions.

The regulator's decision stemmed from complaints involving driver suspensions between 2018 and 2022, originating from a French complaint. While Uber generally suspends accounts temporarily, sometimes permanently, according to low customer ratings, the authority deemed the automated, humanless suspension process a serious infringement.