[modeless]

Regular cab drivers are usually classified as independent contractors too. I didn't see a bunch of people lobbying for them to be employees before Uber came on the scene. I also don't see the people who are mad at Uber caring about regular cab drivers (e.g. this article doesn't mention that issue at all and neither do the comments here). This makes me cynically think that the source of all this recent noise about the issue is hardball political tactics from Uber's powerful and connected opponents.

More generally I see a broad media campaign smearing Silicon Valley; spinning a narrative of tech companies as an out-of-touch new elite bent on oppressing the poor and middle class (e.g. the Google bus kerfuffle). That narrative seems popular even in tech circles these days. Perhaps it's an inevitable consequence of success.

[bkor]

> This makes me cynically think that the source of all this recent noise about the issue is hardball political tactics

Above attitude is pretty poor. There are many reasons why Uber(Pop) is not acceptable from a European perspective. In various countries in Europe the attitude is more about employees and social security. E.g. if I read the article I just arguments for customers and companies. But who is going to pay taxes? Who is protecting the employees?

With UberPop Uber actively tries to either break laws or skirt them. E.g. they're contractors, but they won't work with the government to ensure that the employees/contractors pay their taxes. Social security requires taxes to be paid. Ensuring that this happens requires cooperation and cross checks.

Airbnb is similar. Assume it is not their responsibility.

Such attitudes totally conflict. I work in an international company, following local laws is standard business practice. It's not a "OMG difficult". If it is too difficult, do it anyway.

In most articles I see Uber described as a "ride-sharing" company, while it is a taxi company. IMO there's a heavy pro Uber bias including the usual assumptions that the taxi situation is the same all over the world.

[pgeorgi]

In Europe it's not just the social security angle.

There are laws and there's a US company ignoring these laws, with more money than is good for them (much larger and powerful than "Uber's powerful and connected opponents" that the GP spoke of). That matches every stereotype of US companies that try to force the American Way onto Europe.

I can't think of many ways to make it easier for the media to produce a scandal (which is how they make their money).

And to some degree it looks plausible: Uber is larger than most of the incumbents (I'm pretty sure that they're larger than any of the existing taxi companies in Germany). They're handed injunctions against the way they operate all the time. They don't seem to care to work within the legal framework (There might have been options in Germany - but they require some amount of good will by elected officials, something that probably dried up by now), but simply want to destroy it.

[dogma1138]

Cab drivers have a union that provides them with services most importantly proper liabilities and damages insurance.

They are also provided benefits through the union such as health insurance and pensions.

Cab licenses are also regulated to ensure that the driver is fit to ferry passengers, some countries even require them to pass a CPR / emergency treatment courses.

The local regulations also ensure that the vehicle that is used is road worthy even in places that do not require a yearly checkup for all vehicles.