Dutch Regulator Fines Uber $966 Million Over Automated Driver Suspensions

The Dutch Data Protection Authority has fined Uber €825 million, about $966 million, for automatically deactivating driver accounts between 2020 and 2022 without adequately informing them, according to a decision reviewed by Reuters. The penalty ranks as the second-largest ever issued under Europe’s GDPR rules.

What the Investigation Found

The regulator determined that Uber violated drivers’ rights by relying on automated decision-making systems that carried significant consequences, without providing proper human review or a clear way to challenge suspensions. Some accounts were suspended over suspected fraud, such as drivers accused of taking unnecessary detours or accepting trips they didn’t intend to complete. The regulator also said drivers with low customer ratings were sometimes permanently deactivated through automated systems, a claim Uber disputes.

Uber Plans to Appeal

Uber said it strongly disagrees with the decision, calling the fine disproportionate given that only 126 drivers were affected by ratings-based deactivations in Europe in 2021. The company said it will appeal, noting its current policies include human review and dispute options for suspended drivers. The case originated from a French complaint and was handled by Dutch regulators since Uber’s European headquarters is based in the Netherlands