Uber Faces Violent Protests In Brazil

The app-based taxi company Uber has faced violent protests in Brazil. Uber allows users to input their current location and destination into the app, with the nearest taxis using the app then receiving a ride request. The company currently operates in 4 cities in Brazil, with around 5,000 drivers and 500,000 users in the country. Recently, drivers have reported being physically attacked by other taxi drivers who believe that they are stealing their trade. In one case, a driver was even kidnapped and beaten, with a spokesperson from Sao Paulo's taxi syndicate saying that it is inevitable that a driver will be killed if steps are not taken to curb the violence. Rio de Janeiro's mayor recently banned Uber from operating in the city in an attempt to both protect Uber drivers and ease the frustrations of other taxi drivers. 
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