The Dutch Data Protection Authority has announced a significant fine of €825 million (about $966 million) against Uber, marking the second-largest penalty handed down under Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The fine stems from investigations into Uber’s use of automated systems to suspend drivers’ accounts without adequate warning or human oversight. Deputy chair Monique Verdier emphasized that such automated decisions carry serious consequences and criticized the lack of sufficient human involvement in account deactivations.

Uber disputes the regulator’s findings, maintaining that most suspensions are temporary and no permanent deactivations occur without human review. The company also points out that drivers can appeal suspensions. However, the Dutch regulator alleges that some drivers were permanently removed without any human intervention, a claim Uber denies. The ride-hailing giant has announced its intention to appeal the decision, calling the fine disproportionate.

The fine follows two previous penalties from the Dutch regulator against Uber—one for €290 million related to driver data handling and another for €10 million over similar privacy issues. These actions originate from complaints by driver Brahim Ben Ali, who, after his 2019 account deactivation in France, gathered testimonies from 170 drivers and sought aid from the Swiss nonprofit PersonalData.io to investigate Uber’s decision-making process. Ben Ali is now pushing to initiate a class-action lawsuit enabling drivers to pursue compensation.

The case has sparked debate over the appropriateness of automated enforcement in gig economy platforms. Some commentators argue that automated decisions are an extension of management policies, while others insist that companies must take responsibility when deploying technology that impacts workers’ livelihoods. Paul-Olivier Dehaye of PersonalData.io stresses that Uber should assume the role of an employer in accountable decision-making rather than deflecting it to algorithms. He is also launching a startup, StartClaims, to support litigation and regulatory challenges against Uber and similar companies.