Sharing economy
The sharing economy: Cure or curse?
From mobility services to recycling applications, the sharing economy holds many promises. Whether to regulate it at European level remains a disputed question, however.
Commission says Airbnb breaches EU consumer rules, must fall into line
The European Union told Airbnb yesterday (16 July) to bring its terms and conditions into line with the bloc's consumer rules or face action by national consumer agencies, after a review of the short-term rental platform found some violations.
Uber loses EU court case against French criminal charges
France is entitled to bring criminal proceedings against local managers of ride-hailing app Uber for running an illegal taxi service, the EU top court ruled on Tuesday, dealing the Silicon Valley start-up another legal setback.
New EU tax on tech giants’ revenue is not ‘anti-US’, Moscovici insists
After half a year of intense debate and bickering between member states, the European Commission proposed on Wednesday (21 March) a new system for taxing digital companies that will charge large firms 3% of their revenue and will hit US tech giants like Google and Facebook.
Uber needs prior authorisations to operate, EU court says
EU judges ruled on Wednesday that Uber is a transport service, rather than a digital app, and therefore requires national authorities’ authorisation to operate in Europe.
Seven EU countries team up to investigate Uber data breach
EU privacy watchdogs are uniting to confront Uber over the breach of millions of consumers’ data that the ride-hailing app recently reported.
Tax fight draws divisions at EU digital summit
Supporters of a controversial new push to tax tech giants insist they will overcome fierce opposition from a group of around 10 member states.
Estonia confident politics won’t overshadow Tallinn ‘digital summit’
Estonia is hosting a summit focused on technology issues this Friday (29 September) but will have to battle for EU leaders’ attention less than one week after the German election, a fresh round of Brexit talks and French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposals on the future of Europe.
Innovation fuels Europe’s leadership on shared mobility
European cities are stepping up their efforts on shared mobility to reduce traffic jams and pollution while generating the most profitable business in this field on the planet.
Estonian minister: The digital economy needs more social Europe
There needs to be an EU-wide solution to precarious app economy jobs, said Estonian Labour and Health Minister Jevgeni Ossinovski in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
EU Court’s top lawyer says member states have right to ban Uber
EU member states can ban ride-hailing pioneer Uber without informing the European Commission because at heart it is an ordinary transport company under their jurisdiction, a top EU lawyer said Tuesday.
Czech cities against Uber, but European court has the last word
It is not easy to be an Uber driver in the Czech Republic. The capital, Prague, has fined them and the second city Brno is now an Uber-free zone. Although public opinion is broadly positive, the EU courts are probably Uber’s last hope.
MEPs demand EU strategy to protect gig economy workers
The European Parliament is expected to adopt a draft report on Thursday (15 June) calling on EU and national authorities to ensure “fair working conditions and adequate legal and social protection for all workers” in the collaborative economy.
European court may force Uber out of Europe
A key decision awaits the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Will the Court’s judges side with the opponents of sharing services such as Uber, or will they instead support their further development? EURACTIV Czech Republic’s partner Aktuálně reports.
EU court’s opinion challenges Commission’s pro-Uber stance
An opinion issued today (11 May) by the EU Court of Justice's advocate general said that Uber cannot benefit from lax rules under the service directive, seen by the European Commission as the legal basis for the collaborative economy.
Estonia to lead debate on the future of social systems in the digital era
The upcoming rotating presidency of the EU will focus on the future of work and the role technology can play in transforming social systems in the context of the new industrial revolution.
Taxi industry launches alliance to compete with Uber
MEPs and stakeholders yesterday (26 April) launched an organisation aiming to protect the rights of taxi drivers and improve competition against “social platforms” like US ride-hailing service Uber.
App economy jobs come under Commission scrutiny
The European Commission will change an EU law on employment contracts by the end of the year in a move to create standards for precarious jobs created by online apps like Uber and Deliveroo.
Uber, France spar over whether company is a transport service
US ride-hailing app Uber told Europe's top court on Monday (24 April) that it was a digital service, not a transport service, and that a French law clearly targeted online taxi services, in its latest European legal battle with the taxi industry.
Uber gains key support ahead of EU Court hearing
A majority of EU governments are expected tomorrow (29 November) to back – at least partly – the ride-hailing firm’s claim of being a digital platform, opening the way for a lighter regulatory oversight of the American-based company than if it was considered like a normal transport firm.
Airbnb awaits Berlin ruling on legality of home-sharing
A Berlin court is due to make a landmark ruling with ramifications for home rental firms such as Airbnb on Wednesday (8 June) when it decides if homeowners can engage in short-term lets.
‘Sharing economy’ turns to insurers for risk protection
The success of sharing economy firms offers new opportunities to insurers who see Uber drivers and Airbnb flat owners as a potential source of revenue. But setting up a safe environment for digital platforms, contractors, and users remains a challenge.
Saudi Arabia hitches its wagon to the Uber machine
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund has announced investment totalling €3.5 billion in Uber, as the kingdom seeks to diversify away from petrodollars. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.