Thousands of cab drivers have participated in the #Ubergeddon to protest Uber's expansion in several European cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Lisbon, and Berlin.

Around 12,000 black cab drivers were warned that they would be arrested because of the traffic jam that they had organized in Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, and Whitehall. Thousands of cabs protesting Uber and all ride-sharing apps have brought morning and evening transportation in Europe to a standstill, according to Vator News.

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The protesters disapprove of car-sharing apps being allowed to hire non-professional drivers who do not follow the same regulations that cab drivers do. Because they skip local insurance rules, app-based transportation services such as Hailo and Kabee are violating licensing and safety regulations, cab drivers say.

Jo Bertram, the Uber general manager for UK and Ireland, said that #Ubergeddon has caused their app downloads in the area to shoot up to a staggering 850%. He also said Uber has passed the audit of a Private Hire Vehicle operator which they filed to Transport for London.

London is currently plagued with around 1,125 sexual assaults on women done by car drivers every year. This year, black cab driver John Worboys was jailed for life after he was found to have drugged and raped at least 100 women passengers.

Like taxis and other ride-sharing services, Uber also had experienced a few complaints about abusive drivers. Still, Uber's hiring process is not as strict as that in taxis.

In 2013, Uber employed 50 new drivers via Craigslist for the free rides they were giving to SXSW delegates. The company ran background checks on the applicants and conducted a 45-minute orientation, almost half of which was spent filling out documents.

In New York City, a driver had to go through fingerprinting, a background check, drug test, and a defensive driving course before being qualified to drive a taxi. He also had to take a course on sex trafficking awareness.

Uber was founded in 2010 and has now provides car-sharing services in 128 cities in 37 countries. The firm has recently raised a whopping $1.4 billion in venture capital at a $17-billion valuation.

Tags#Ubergeddon, ride sharing service, ride sharing app, cab drivers, Protest, Uber protest, app downloads