France, Belgium launch committee inquiries into Uber’s lobbying activities

The Uber Files, released in July 2022, continue to impact governments around the globe. Image: ICIJ

A French parliamentary committee will reportedly examine Uber’s lobbying activities in the country and its relationship with President Emmanuel Macron following an investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

As reported by Fergus Shiel writing for the ICIJ on January 23, a parliamentary committee is set to investigate Uber’s lobbying methods in France, including Macron’s relationship with the company, though it does not directly reference the president. A similar motion that explicitly named Macron was rejected last year.

French MP Danielle Simmonet, who brought the motion calling for the inquiry said that the committee would examine the “role of public officials” and “relationships between public and private decision-makers” in order to ensure the “separation of lobbies and the State.”

Simmonet said it would look at the economic consequences of the gig economy.

In Belgium, a two-month special commission of inquiry into the Uber Files is also under way. And last week, the European Parliament held a session responding to revelations about Uber’s lobbying practices in the EU and its effect on drivers.