California Fines Uber $59 Million for Stonewalling Questions About Sexual Assaults

A California judge fined Uber $59 million on Monday, and threatened to suspend its permit to operate in the state if the ride-hailing giant doesn't pay the penalty and answer regulators' questions within 30 days. From a report: Last December, an administrative law judge ordered Uber to answer the California Public Utility Commission's questions related to a long-awaited safety report, which listed, among other things, thousands of sexual assaults during rides from 2017-'19. The CPUC, which regulates ride-hailing in California, wanted more information about how the report was compiled, and specific details about the assaults so they could be investigated by the state. Uber refused to comply, claiming it would infringe on victims' privacy, even after a judge earlier this year said the company could turn over information under seal to protect confidentiality. The judge Monday agreed that Uber can use signifiers other than names to protect victims' anonymity.

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