Uber drivers arrested in Hong Kong, police raid office

Five drivers were arrested on charges of operating illegal hire car services and not having third-party risks insurance

Uber got some unwelcome riders in Hong Kong today when undercover police officers used the on-demand car ride app – and then arrested the drivers once they’d reached their destination. Five unnamed drivers now face charges of operating illegal hire car services and not having third-party risks insurance.

After the five arrests, Hong Kong police then raided Uber’s office at around 2pm this afternoon, reports the Hong Kong Free Press. This photo from the Apple Daily shows police inspecting the office and taking away materials as evidence.

Hong Kong police also took away computers from Uber’s base. 

Aside from UberTaxi’s use of regulated city cabs, Uber’s other services operate in a legal grey area as they use private cars for paid rides in a manner similar to a standard taxi. The drivers are often untrained and might not have gone through background checks

This is an excerpt from Tech in Asia. You can read the full article here.