The Dutch data protection authority has fined Uber 900 million euros ($966 million) for using automated systems to suspend drivers without proper human oversight. The penalty was imposed this week following an investigation into Uber's driver suspension practices in the Netherlands, marking one of the largest fines related to automated decision-making processes in the European Union, according to economictimes.indiatimes.com.
The regulator found that Uber's automated system suspended drivers based on algorithms without adequate human review, violating data protection laws. The fine reflects the authority's stance on ensuring companies maintain human involvement in decisions that significantly affect individuals. Uber has been ordered to stop using the automated suspension system and to implement measures that guarantee human intervention in such decisions, the report said.
This case highlights growing regulatory scrutiny over the use of automated decision-making in the gig economy, where platforms rely heavily on algorithms to manage workers. The fine is among the highest levied for breaches of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), underscoring the risks companies face when deploying automated systems without sufficient safeguards. Similar enforcement actions have increased as regulators seek to protect workers' rights and privacy in digital platforms.
Uber must comply with the regulator's directives or face additional penalties. The Dutch authority's decision sets a precedent for how automated management tools are regulated across Europe, emphasizing the need for transparency and human oversight. The fine was announced on August 21, 2026, and Uber has acknowledged the ruling, according to economictimes.indiatimes.com.