Uber defined as a transport service in the EU as it appoints a new COO

The EU’s top court issued a ruling yesterday that Uber should be “regulated like other taxi operators” as its services fall under the transport field, Reuters reports. Although Uber does not see the ruling as having a major effect on its operations in Europe, where it already abides by transport laws in most EU member states, some in the tech industry say the ruling “is a blow to the EU’s ambition of building an integrated digital single market.”

Meanwhile, Uber appointed former CEO of online travel service Orbitz, Barney Harford, as its new COO, according to the newswire. Harford joins the company as it is gearing up for an IPO amid significant losses.