Hong Kong police on Tuesday arrested 21 Uber drivers as part of an ongoing clamp down against Uber Technologies Inc's operations in the Asian financial city.
The arrests marked the latest upset for the San Francisco-based technology company, which in March said it would help five convicted Uber drivers to appeal their court case.
Police said they began an undercover operation in May and on Tuesday arrested 20 men and one woman between the ages 21 to 59 for illegally driving a car for hire and driving without third party risks insurance.
I would like to stress that our law enforcement action is ongoing and we do not rule out further arrests.Lau Tat-fai, Chief Inspector of Police Enforcement and Control Decision at the Kowloon West district
We would like to say to the operator of the mobile phone application, as a responsible organisation, you need to ensure cars for hire are equipped with a permit as required by Hong Kong laws. This is a basic responsibility to passengers and (shows) respect for Hong Kong laws.Lau Tat-fai
The Chief Inspector added that those who assist or instigate drivers might also have to bear legal responsibility.
A Uber spokesman said the company was "extremely disappointed" by the police action.
We stand together with the twenty-one driver partners and their families, and will continue to provide assistance, including legal support, during this difficult time.Uber Spokesman
Uber said it has a ridesharing insurance policy of up to HK$100 million per trip for riders and third-parties, which complies with local laws including Hong Kong's insurance regulations.
A local court in March had found five Uber drivers guilty and fined them HK$10,000 ($1,287.91) each. It also revoked their driving licenses for a year, but that punishment was suspended upon the drivers’ appeal.
Ridesharing should not be a crime. Hong Kong is an international city known for its embrace of global economic trends and new technologies, but current transportation regulations have failed to keep up with innovation.Uber in an emailed statement
Uber began a fierce publicity campaign following the verdict, splashing ads on newspaper frontpages and giving out plane tickets and Manchester United football jerseys to a few random passengers.
The embattled technology company pulled out of Taiwan earlier this year over mounting fines from regulators, but said last month it would resume services.
(This story was published with an arrangement with Reuters)
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