The Dutch Data Protection Authority has issued Uber a fine of €825 million (about $966 million), making it one of the largest penalties ever under Europe's General Data Protection Regulation.
The regulator said it examined complaints that driver accounts were suspended through an automated system without enough notice or meaningful human review. Deputy chair Monique Verdier said the company had committed serious breaches and stressed that major decisions should not be left to software alone.
Uber said it disagrees with the ruling, arguing that temporary suspensions are common, permanent deactivations are reviewed by people, and drivers can appeal. The company also said it will challenge the decision.
The case gained momentum after a former Uber driver in France gathered testimony from hundreds of drivers and brought the issue to the Netherlands, where Uber's European headquarters are based. A Swiss digital rights nonprofit, PersonalData.io, supported the effort by helping document how the decisions were made.
The ruling adds to a growing debate over how platforms balance automation, accountability, and worker protections in the gig economy. As digital systems take on larger roles in managing people's work, the future may demand clearer rules, stronger oversight, and more transparent human-centered governance.
