Uber facing huge class action in Oz

● More than 6,000 taxi drivers and hire car operators in Australia have filed a class-action lawsuit against Uber, alleging the ride-share company destroyed their livelihoods and operated illegally.

The case — one of the largest class actions ever pursued in Australia — is the latest in a series of legal challenges facing Uber as it prepares to raise up to $9bn (about R130bn) in an IPO this year.

“Make no mistake, this will be a landmark case regarding the alleged illegal operations of Uber Australia and the devastating impact that it has had on the lives of hard-working and law-abiding citizens here,” Andrew Watson, head of class actions at Maurice Blackburn, the firm leading the litigation, said on Friday.

The class action alleges Uber knew its Australian business was illegal because its drivers were not properly licensed and did not have proper accreditation to carry passengers. The lawsuit also says Uber knew the vehicles driven by Uber drivers were not properly licensed and, knowing that it would be the subject of enforcement activities, used “greyball” software tools to avoid law authorities’ enforcement activities.

The company is alleged to have acted in complete disregard for any regulations which existed in the markets that it entered, according to a summary of the litigation. “As a result, Uber had an unfair competitive advantage against taxi and hire car industry participants who were complying with the law,” alleges Maurice Blackburn.

Uber said in a statement: “We understand there are media reports suggesting Maurice Blackburn has filed a claim that will allege Uber operated illegally in Australia. Uber denies this allegation, and if a claim is served making it, the claim will be vigorously defended.”— © The Financial Times