Image: Moscow Times

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has imposed a 100 million euros fine on the Netherlands-based company behind the taxi app Yango. That company, MLU, allegedly shared personal data of Yango users in Norway and Finland with Russia without adequate security measures in place, according to the authority. MLU, a Netherlands-based subsidiary of Russian tech firm Yandex, denied the charge.

“In Russia, personal data is not as well protected as in Europe. This means the Russian government could potentially access this data,” said AP chair Aleid Wolfsen. “That is why sensitive data from both customers and drivers should have been better protected, especially given the absence of an independent privacy regulator in Russia. We found that this was not done properly, and that is serious.”

The size of the penalty reflects the annual revenue of MLU parent Yandex, which exceeded 12 billion euros in 2024. MLU still has the option to challenge the decision by filing an objection or appeal.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority has been investigating the case together with Norwegian and Finnish privacy regulators since late 2023. They concluded that Yango stored sensitive information from both passengers and drivers, including driving license scans, home addresses, and precise location data, on servers located in Russia. Under European rules, personal data may only be transferred outside the EU if it receives an equivalent level of protection.

Yango is available in more than 30 countries worldwide. In Europe, according to its website, these include Norway, Finland, Serbia, and Moldova.

MLU has announced it will challenge the fine. “The personal data was stored exclusively within the EU in pseudonymized and encrypted form, making it technically inaccessible to third parties. We applied all appropriate safeguards in line with European privacy legislation,” the parent company said in a written response, adding that Yango has not been active in Norway and Finland since last year. The company also says it fully cooperated with the Dutch Data Protection Authority’s investigation.

Source: NL Times

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Image: WNYT

New York State’s tentative $268 billion budget agreement is expected to include a modified version of the long-debated “Stop Super Speeders” proposal, signaling a potentially significant new direction in automated traffic enforcement and repeat offender regulation. While Gov. Kathy Hochul did not publicly release detailed legislative language during Thursday’s budget announcement, lawmakers involved in negotiations indicated that the proposal is likely to move forward as part of the final budget package expected to be voted on next week.

Under the framework discussed by legislators, New York City would be authorized to require certain repeat speeding offenders to install “intelligent speed assistance” (ISA) devices designed to prevent vehicles from exceeding posted speed limits, similar in concept to ignition interlock systems used in drunk driving cases. Negotiations have reportedly centered on applying the program to drivers who accumulate 16 or more speed-camera violations within a 12-month period — a narrower version of earlier legislation introduced by Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie reportedly told lawmakers this week that the policy was expected to be included in the final budget framework following negotiations with members of the New York City delegation. However, discussions reportedly continued over implementation details, due process protections, privacy concerns, and the appropriate violation threshold for triggering the device requirement. Supporters argue the proposal targets a relatively small number of chronic reckless drivers responsible for a disproportionate share of dangerous speeding behavior, while critics have raised concerns about administration, enforcement, and equity impacts.

The broader budget agreement also includes several auto insurance reform measures outlined by the Governor, including proposals aimed at combating organized insurance fraud, limiting the use of underwriting factors such as ZIP codes and employment type, capping excess insurance company profits, and modifying aspects of New York’s liability and no-fault insurance framework. Final legislative language for both the insurance and “super speeders” provisions has not yet been publicly released.

Source: Gothamist

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US Says Airline Jet Fuel Costs Jumped $1.8 Billion or 56% in March

Major U.S. passenger airlines spent just over $5 billion on jet fuel in ​March, up $1.8 billion or 56% from what they spent in February, ‌the U.S. Transportation Department said on Wednesday. The cost per gallon of fuel in March was $3.13, up 74 cents, and 31% over February. Fuel use ​rose 20% in March, USDOT added. Since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began, ​disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have ⁠roiled global oil markets. Surging jet fuel prices have created ​the air travel industry's biggest crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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US States Have Revoked 28,000 Non-Domiciled CDLs

More than 28,000 foreign truckers no longer deliver cargo in the U.S. after states revoked their illegally issued non-domiciled commercial driver licenses as stricter federal regulations are expected to remove nearly 200,000 drivers from hauling freight. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the revoked non-domiciled CDLs among a list of one-year accomplishments to support the trucking industry under the Trump administration.

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Transportation Department Announces Support Measures Following Spirit Airlines Shutdown

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a series of actions coordinated with U.S. airlines to assist Spirit Airlines passengers and employees following the carrier’s cessation of operations. According to the Department of Transportation, the effort is intended to help affected travelers secure alternate flights, maintain service access in impacted communities, and connect displaced airline employees with job opportunities across the aviation industry. The department said multiple airlines are working with federal officials to accommodate Spirit ticket holders and provide additional travel options where possible. Travelers were encouraged to check directly with participating airlines for details regarding rebooking policies and available assistance.

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Canada's Auto Industry Can't Exist without the U.S., Says Brian Kingston

Brian Kingston, chief executive of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, talks with Financial Post’s Larysa Harapyn about how Canada’s auto industry can’t exist without the United States. “Diversification for auto is not an option. If we do not have U.S. access, we do not have an auto industry,” he said. “That’s just the bottom line, so we really need to get this relationship right.”

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Province Welcomes Uber Canada to Ontario Corps

The government is continuing to expand Ontario Corps by welcoming its latest partner Uber Canada to provide safe and reliable transportation for supplies and people during emergencies. Through Ontario Corps, the province is delivering on its plan to protect Ontario by creating a network of partners and dedicated volunteers ready to respond to local emergencies and deploy critical resources at a moment’s notice.

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Transit Advocates Accuse Quebec of Chronic Underinvestment in Transport Networks

Quebec’s road and public transit systems face dramatic deterioration, an alliance of transit advocates warned Thursday, releasing a report accusing the province of chronic underinvestment in its transport networks. “We’re reaping the fruit of decades of negligence, of non-decisions and short-term decisions,” said UQAM urban planning professor Florence Junca-Adenot, one of the contributors to the Alliance Transit report.

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Avoiding Pirate Taxis in Spain in 2026: What All the Different Coloured Number Plates Mean

Road users in Spain rely on number plates to confirm licensed taxis and VTC services (Uber-style rides). As we begin to enter the holiday period, law enforcement in Spain is cracking down on illegal taxi services and is reminding everyone why checking colours matters for safer travel. Dave, the friend of the guy down the road, might come with excellent recommendations for an airport run and give the most amazingly reliable service ready to pick you up at your apartment door at 4am to pick you up. But, if you’re really not sure, always use a fully licensed service. But how do you tell?

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Croatia Tightens Taxi Rules Ahead of Summer: Will Prices Drop?

As HRT reports, the proposed legislation comes amid growing complaints about high taxi prices in popular tourist destinations such as Zadar, where the number of taxi vehicles on the roads has increased significantly ahead of summer. Under the proposed law, all taxi vehicles would be required to display special “TX” licence plates, while inspections and enforcement measures would also be expanded. Authorities say the changes are aimed at improving transparency and bringing greater order to the sector.

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Isle of Wight Taxi Driver Fights License Revocation over Medical Cannabis Prescription

A taxi company boss on the Isle of Wight is fighting to overturn the revocation of his hackney carriage licence after the council stripped him of his right to drive over complaints about the smell of cannabis during school transport journeys—despite his possession of a valid medical cannabis prescription. The case raises crucial questions about licensing laws, medical cannabis, and what happens when prescription medication clashes with professional driving standards.

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CODETA Announces Taxi Fare Increase As Fuel Hikes Squeeze Operators Across South Africa

Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) has announced an upcoming increase in taxi fares, citing the impact of recent fuel price hikes that have placed significant financial strain on operators in the Western Cape.

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Archer Inches Closer to Flying Air Taxis in Abu Dhabi with New UAE Certification

California-based EVTOL manufacturer Archer Aviation has taken a step closer to the UAE air taxi launch with a new UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) certification pathway, the company announced late Thursday night. It said Archer Aviation’s Midnight electric air taxi has entered a new certification phase in the UAE, as regulators in Abu Dhabi move to create a faster pathway for limited commercial operations.

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Goldman-Backed Go App Seeks $1.3 Billion Valuation in Tokyo IPO

Taxi-hailing app operator Go is targeting a valuation of about ¥200 billion ($1.3 billion) for its initial public offering that may raise as much as ¥90 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

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Image: Wired

Every week, Americans take over half a million rides in autonomous vehicles across a dozen major cities. DC isn't one of them – but a new bill from Councilmember Charles Allen could change that.

Allen, along with Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Matt Frumin, introduced the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026 on May 1. I've spent a decade in AV policy and, for better or worse, this is the most comprehensive and complex AV deployment bill I've seen from any U.S. city or state. It creates a real pathway to commercial AV rides in the District, while seeking to tackle a range of concerns surrounding AVs including congestion, equity, transit, labor, and liability.

The introduced text is an encouraging start – but it will all come down to how the bill is shaped by the Council.

Done right, this bill could mark the beginning of the autonomous urbanism era.

Autonomous urbanism is a broader vision for a future where AVs unlock tremendous improvements in city life by complementing public transit and reducing car dependence, making neighborhood streets safer for everyone (especially pedestrians, cyclists, and children), enhancing mobility for under-served communities, and supporting the local economy.

As we discussed at The Innovation Majority’s April 8th event, “Why not DC? Unlocking AVs in the District,” AVs present a significant opportunity for the District to deliver on safer streets, address inequitable access, and diversify and revitalize the local economy.

Three policy elements give me hope that the bill could set the foundation for DC to become a national leader in autonomous urbanism:

1. Safety assurance and oversight through a tiered permitting system for AV testing and deployment, with expanded oversight authority for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and other agencies to address issues.
2. Enhancing and complementing public transit with more funding generated by AV program fees, while also encouraging AV companies to offer discounted fares for AV rides connecting to public transit (Waymo previously piloted this in San Francisco and Los Angeles).
3. Unlocking broad public benefits by requiring companies to fairly rebalance their vehicle fleets to avoid disparate availability or wait times, and sharing information that can help the city improve infrastructure for everyone.

Done poorly, this bill could block DC residents from seeing the benefits of AVs for many more years. 

Source: The Innovation Majority

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