What is Uber?
For those of you who have been living under a rock, Uber is a mobile phone-based taxi service that connects passengers with local drivers.
Uber was founded in California in 2009 and operates in 200 cities across 45 countries around the world, including in Australia.
The service offers a number of ride options including: Uber Black (licensed drivers of high-end vehicles), Uber taxis and UberX (ordinary people driving their own vehicles; also known as UberPOP).
UberX is a favourite among young people because of its low fares and cashless system but has sparked safety concerns and questions over its legality.
The company is today valued at $US40 billion ($A43.28 billion), twice what it was worth six months ago.
The rapid rise of Uber has brought with it a host of problems - backlash from taxi drivers, a driver accused of rape and allegations that UberX is illegal and unsafe - and many countries are now banning it.
Despite the backlash, the company's fortunes continue to rise.
Where has it been banned?
Spain
A Spanish judge this week placed a temporary ban on Uber, stating that drivers hired for rides lacked "the administrative authorisation to carry out the job, and their activity "constitutes unfair competition."
Thailand
Thailand recently ordered Uber to stop operations, with the Department of Land Transport saying drivers for the service were not registered to drive commercial vehicles.
The Netherlands
A Dutch court this week placed a ban on Uber’s UberPOP service, also known as UberX in other parts of the world such as Australia and the US.
The Hague-based Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal said in its decision: "Drivers who transport people for payment without a licence are breaking the law."
Belgium:
Earlier this year, a Brussels court declared Uber illegal, threatening drivers with fines of €10,000 if they were caught with passengers.
New Delhi
New Delhi banned Uber from operating in the Indian capital after a passenger alleged she had been raped by one of the company's drivers.
Berlin, Hamburg
Courts in the German cities of Berlin and Hamburg upheld bans against Uber in September, after the US-based company appealed the original court rulings. The bans were upheld on the grounds that Uber drivers did not have the necessary licences to carry passengers.
Nevada
Uber ceased operations in the US state of Nevada in November after a court injunction was placed on the company to prevent it from operating across the state. The court said the company did not comply with state laws and posed a risk to public safety.
Where is the status of Uber unclear?
Denmark
Denmark's national transport authority filed a police complaint against Uber in November, arguing it was operating illegally.
Norway
Paris
A Paris court fined Uber €100,000 in October for advertising itself as a car-pooling service and court is set to decide on Friday whether to shut down the service in France.
Toronto
The City of Toronto filed an application for an injunction against Uber in late November, citing a risk to public safety.
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