Authorities in Geneva have banned Uber for breaching local taxi laws but the beleaguered US-based company said Tuesday it was appealing the order and denied any wrongdoing.

"This is the first time in Europe that we have had such a problem," Uber spokesman Thomas Meister told AFP, referring to the order on UberX, an app-based network linking clients with professional drivers with private-hire licences.

The commerce department of the canton said that the ridesharing platform is acting like a taxi dispatcher but was not properly registered as a taxi or limousine service.

Uber had until March 4 to do so, said Patrick Baud-Lavigne from the canton's department of security and economy.

"Seeing that they haven't done it... at the end of March we sent them a ban order," he said.

Uber has been operating in Geneva since September offering far cheaper rates than traditional taxis, sparking protests from cabbies who accuse it of unfair competition.

Uber drivers in Geneva face fines of between 100 Swiss francs (95 euros, $102) and 20,000 Swiss francs.

Uber argues that it is a technology business and is "not a dispatch centre for taxis."

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/geneva-bans-uber-latest-setback-112753690.html
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EDINBURGH

A WOMAN was sexually assaulted after getting into a car she believed was a private hire taxi.

The 31-year-old was attacked after being picked up in Candlemaker Row, near the Greyfriars Bobby statue in Edinburgh, at about 3.30am.

Police said the assault happened in a lay-by just past Hillend ski slope, near Boghall Farm, in Midlothian.

The woman was then taken to the Edinburgh city bypass where she left the car near the Sheriffhall roundabout.

Police Scotland Detective Sergeant Keith Mackay said: “This was a frightening experience for the woman, who is now in the care of her family.

“We are eager to trace this man and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who recognises the man’s description, or the description of the car, is urged to come forward.”
The suspect is described as being South Asian, slim and aged between 35 and 40 with an Edinburgh accent.

He is around 5ft 5in or 5ft 6in, clean shaven with dark cropped hair and was wearing dark clothing.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/sexual-assault-in-edinburgh-private-hire-taxi-1-3743246