In a move that would make our local taxi drivers jealous, Hungary has passed a law that would permit the Hungarian national communications authority to block internet access to what they deem as “illegal dispatcher services.” This little piece of legislation has caused ride-sharing service Uber to announce that they would be suspending operations in Hungary.
Speaking to Reuters, General Manager for Uber in Central Europe, Rob Khazzam, has stated that the legislation has made it impossible for Uber to operate. “We will be suspending Uber X in Budapest effective on July 24. Unfortunately, the logic of legislative developments that have unfolded in Hungary over the last 18 months have led us to this difficult decision,” says Khazzam.
The introduction of this legislation happened after taxi drivers in Hungary demanded that Uber be outlawed and its smartphone app blocked as they say its drivers breach regulations other taxi firms must adhere to.
While Uber will be indefinitely suspending its services in Hungary, the service isn’t exactly banned in Hungary. “It is not a ban. Uber has not been banned in Budapest, it is simply a forced suspension, we have been left no other alternative by the authorities in Hungary in response to these developments,” says Khazzam.
Source: Reuters
