ride-hailing service Wheely dangers Moscow ban in dispute over geolocation information

(Refiles June 1 story to clarify all through that Wheely gives journey-hailing capabilities) through Nadezhda Tsydenova and Gleb Stolyarov MOSCOW, June 1 (Reuters) - London-based experience-hailing provider Wheely dangers being banned in Moscow after it noted it refuses to share car geolocation information with the authorities, citing passenger privateness rights. normal amongst wealthy Muscovites, Wheely - which also operates in London and Paris - suspended its operations within the Russian capital in April after the mayor's workplace banned premium transport features beneath measures to curb the coronavirus. With Moscow now easing these measures, Wheely became given permission to renew its capabilities, provided it complied with a brand new requirement issued by way of the mayor on may additionally 21 that journey-hailing establishments should share geolocation information for health and safety explanations. Wheely referred to on Monday that it refused to achieve this, because proposing the Moscow transport department with its drivers' actual-time geolocation statistics would supply the authorities the chance to video display passengers. enjoyable such calls for ability violating federal law concerning the protection of non-public facts, Wheely referred to in an announcement. general taxis have transferred geolocation data to the authorities' statistics system due to the fact 2017, however the law did not practice to journey-hailing functions except the mayor's decree ultimate month. All other important trip-hailing providers have met the requirement, together with Yandex, Citymobil and Gett, the transport branch referred to. The Moscow prosecutor's workplace issued an announcement ultimate week saying that Wheely turned into obliged to comply with the mayor's decree. Wheely referred to it had filed a criticism with authorities in keeping with the ruling. If the (Wheely) service does not fulfil the prosecutor's requirement, its activities will be suspended, the branch of transport pointed out in a press release to Reuters. The transport department stated it uses the statistics to analyse site visitors within the metropolis and increase infrastructure. Taxi passenger tips is not requested or transmitted - neither now, nor earlier than, a spokesperson stated. (Reporting via Nadezhda Tsydenova and Gleb Stolyarov; Writing through Alexander Marrow; modifying via Susan Fenton) Our standards: The Thomson Reuters have faith ideas.