ROME – An Italian court banned the use of smartphone apps for the ride-hailing group Uber on Friday, saying that they contribute to traditional taxis facing unfair competition, local media reported.
In a ruling that is subject to appeal, a court in Rome upheld a complaint filed by taxi unions and gave Uber ten days to end the use of various phone applications on Italian territory, along with the promotion and advertising of them.
If Uber does not comply it could face a fine of 10,000 euros ($10,600) for each day it remains in defiance of the court.
Uber said it was shocked by the ruling and that it would appeal immediately, seeking suspension of the ruling.
