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California fines Uber $7.6M on rider, driver reports
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California fined Uber’s state subsidiary $7.6 million on Thursday for allegedly failing to provide regulators with enough detailed information on the ride-hailing company’s drivers and riders.

Thursday’s decision by the California Public Utilities Commission upholds a ruling by a state administrative law judge, and it raises the $7.3 million penalty and fine that the judge had recommended.

Thursday’s order found Rasier-CA, the California branch of Uber, in contempt for allegedly failing to provide detailed operational data as soon as the state wanted it. 

The order gives the company 30 days to pay or have the state suspend the company’s license to operate in California.

Uber spokeswoman Laura Zapata said the company would pay the money but would go to the California Court of Appeals to dispute the amount of the fine.

Founded in 2009, Uber, like similar companies, uses smart-phone apps to connect drivers with riders. The state says Uber was too slow to provide requested information on driver accidents and on how often drivers refused rides or were unable to accommodate disabled passengers.

Uber said it is now routinely providing all information requested by the state.