Dutch regulators have slapped Uber with a jaw-dropping €290 million ($324M) penalty for illegally transferring European drivers' personal data to the U.S. – marking one of the largest GDPR fines ever under Europe's strict data protection laws.
What Went Down?
The Netherlands' Data Protection Authority (DPA) found Uber broke EU rules by failing to safeguard driver information during transatlantic transfers between 2020-2023. The company insists it followed GDPR guidelines during this period of \"immense uncertainty\" around EU-U.S. data flows .
Uber Fights Back
\"This decision is like getting a parking ticket for using a designated spot,\" quipped Uber spokesperson Caspar Nixon . The ride-hailing giant plans to appeal, claiming they played by the rules while policymakers debated international data protocols.
Why It Matters
This comes just months after Uber's €10M Dutch fine for similar privacy violations
The appeals process could drag on for 4+ years
Case originated from French drivers' complaints through a human rights group
While Uber halted the controversial data practices, this showdown highlights the growing tensions between global tech platforms and Europe's privacy-first approach .
Reference(s):
Uber fined in Netherlands for sending drivers' data to the U.S.
cgtn.com