London (AFP)

Uber's chauffeur-driven platform has been suspended by London, one of its main markets, because of loopholes in its computer system that allow thousands of unlicensed drivers to take charge of passengers fraudulently.

The platform intends to appeal and will continue to operate until a final decision is made, she said in a statement.

Uber is "not able" to hold a license in London, its largest European market, said Transport for London in a statement.

The TfL notes a particular "loophole" in the application of Uber that allows drivers without a license to install their photo on the accounts of other drivers, which has occurred "at least over 14,000 trips" they months, "endangering passengers".

In the same vein, the TfL argues that another platform failure allows unlicensed or suspended drivers to create active Uber accounts.

In September, the London Transport Authority had renewed for only two months the license to practice Uber, waiting for guarantees that the US giant would meet its requirements in terms of security.

TfL has acknowledged that Uber has made welcome changes to the safety of its users, but these are insufficient at present.

Among the security features launched by Uber, passengers can now directly contact emergency services through the app. "Sensors" are also supposed to detect if a vehicle remains immobilized too long, which makes it possible to check whether or not there has been an accident and if necessary to send help.

The company has 45,000 drivers and 3.5 million customers in the British capital.

"I support TfL's decision on Uber," said London Mayor Sadiq Khan, adding that although the UK capital wants to attract "innovative companies," it is "essential that companies abide by the rules."

In 2017, the TfL had deprived the US giant of its license for security reasons, but Uber had continued to practice in the British capital before a victory in a court of appeal that had granted him a fifteen-month license.

The pioneer of shared-vehicle applications is regularly blamed for safety problems on board for both its users and drivers, which has contributed to its reputation around the world, not to mention the controversies over the insufficient remuneration of its drivers .

Union Unite, which represents traditional taxi drivers, welcomed TfL's decision on Monday, saying Uber has created "a race to the bottom (in driving standards of drivers) that is not in the interest neither of the drivers nor of their customers ".

On the other hand, the British Independent Workers' Union (IWGB) deplored "a massive blow" to the thousands of drivers working for Uber "in precarious conditions" who are at risk of becoming unemployed and crumbling. under a mountain of debts "to pay off their vehicle.

The union is calling for "an urgent meeting with the mayor to discuss possible solutions to protect Uber drivers".

"London is one of five cities where (Uber) generates a quarter of its global revenue" and a confirmation of the cancellation of Uber's license would have a very negative impact on its accounts, while it is already losing hundreds of millions of dollars, estimates Neil Wilson.

Especially as a series of competing companies like Bolt and Kapten are in the "starting blocks" to take customers of the giant of vehicles with drivers.

Mr. Wilson believes that Uber's London concerns illustrate "the extent of his legal problems ... If there have been problems with his corporate culture (with accusations of harassment and sexism), most of its conflicts with the regulators and the justice system are reflected in the very structure of its activity: taxes, labor laws and consumer safety ".

© 2019 AFP