Government asks Google, Apple to take down Uber from their app stores

folarin okunola

November 22, 2016 8:04 AM

Uber has said it is communicating with Taiwanese authorities and that it complies with local regulations.

Uber CEO, Travis Kalanick

Media reports confirm that the government of Taiwan is planning to ask

The company operates in the country as an internet-based technology platform as opposed to a transportation company, something the Taiwanese authorities have deemed a misrepresentation of its services and ordering it to pay back taxes (just like in Lagos).

However, Reuters reports that Uber has said it is communicating with Taiwanese authorities and that it complies with local regulations.

"Uber has not done what it says it will do, so we are looking at another way by requesting its apps be removed from Apple and Google (app stores)," Liang Guo-guo, a spokesman for Taiwan's Directorate General of Highways, which is handling the matter, told Reuters by phone on Wednesday, the report said.

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Liang also said the request to remove the Uber app from the app stores will include the removal of the UberEATS app, which Uber just launched in Taiwan recently.

It is uncertain if the move will affect Uber's operations in Taiwan since removing the app will not stop people from finding alternative ways. Taiwanese authorities have also not made any statements on how apps that have already been downloaded will be dealt with.

According to the Reuters report, Uber and Apple did not immediately respond with comments but a Google spokesperson stated policies on Google Play indicate that the search giant does not allow apps that promote or support illegal activities.

In Asia, Uber has been facing difficulties like this. The tech company entered the Taiwanese market in 2013, and its increasing popularity has triggered a negative response from local taxi drivers who staged a protest against Uber ealrier this year.

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