European Uber drivers start class action against ‘dynamic pricing’

Uber drivers across Europe have united to file a class action lawsuit against the ride-sharing giant, alleging the company violated privacy laws and employed dynamic pricing algorithms to diminish their earnings. The Worker Info Exchange International (WIE) has represented thousands of drivers from Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Poland, and Romania in the legal battle, which was registered in an Amsterdam court on Wednesday.

The WIE claims that since 2020, dynamic pricing changes have shifted the risk onto drivers while enabling Uber to augment its covert commission, sometimes capturing nearly half of the fare. According to a study by the Oxera consultancy for WIE International, 66% of Uber drivers in Britain lost an average of £5,337 (US$7,202) per year due to these alterations.

In the Netherlands, 48% of drivers experienced an average loss of €7,500 (US$8,700) annually. WIE International asserts that Uber unlawfully utilized drivers' personal data for machine learning purposes and illicitly transferred this information to the US between August 2021 and November 2023. The lawsuit was initiated in the Netherlands, as it serves as Uber's European headquarters.

The company has not yet commented on the matter. Notably, the Netherlands' digital protection authority recently imposed a €825 million fine on Uber for its management of driver accounts. Uber has stated it intends to appeal the decision.