Image: micheledottavio/Instagram
UberPop, Uber's solution for European drivers without professional taxi licenses, isn't a favorite with the local drivers—in fact, it's been downright dangerous for the company to operate.When the company had to publicly announce that it was expanding Uber X and Uber Black to Brussels today, it hid the location of the announcement until just minutes before it happened, to minimize the potential for protests and violence.The protests seen in Europe are simply on another level. Cars overturned, tires set on fire, taxi drivers catfishing Uber drivers only to assault them; the whole ordeal rings like a Bastille Day for cabbies. But UberPop will continue, despite a €10,000 (~$11,000) fine toward any UberPop ride, and despite ultimatums sent to the Brussels government to ban the service by Sept. 1.The government didn't respond to those, and now taxi unions in Brussels are striking on Sept. 16. The government is, however, working on compromises to license Uber drivers that should stem any unfair competition.On Uber's side, operations will expand using drivers licensed by the Brussels government. How this will pan out remains to be seen, but remember: while US protests haven't been as dangerous, Uber won't hold back when it comes to blockading the public whenever it gets a whiff of any sign of protest.