Uber agrees 20m settlement after allegedly misleading drivers
Ride-hailing service Uber has agreed to pay $20m to settle a legal complaint involving its drivers in the United States, after it was alleged to have made false promises to its drivers.
The Federal Trade Commission in the country announced on Thursday that it was investigating statements made from Uber between 2013 and 2015 regarding the financing of drivers' cars and the amount that drivers were earning.
"Many consumers sign up to drive for Uber, but they shouldn't be taken for a ride about their earnings potential or the cost of financing a car through Uber," said Jessica Rich, the director of the commission's bureau of consumer protection.
Uber has suffered a variety of legal difficulties over the last year as the tech company grapples with the grey area over whether its drivers should be treated as employees and receive paid holidays and other benefits.
In October a London court decided that Uber must offer basic employment rights such as minimum wage and holiday pay, after three drivers led a case against the firm.
"We've made many improvements to the driver experience over the last year and will continue to focus on ensuring that Uber is the best option for anyone looking to earn money on their own schedule," Uber said in a statement in response to the settlement of the case.