With the increasing role of digital platforms in facilitating transportation services, legal questions arised regarding their classification and the extent of regulatory oversight they should face. The core issue is whether these platforms should be treated merely as intermediaries under Directive 2015/1535 or if their role extends into transport service provision, subjecting them to stricter national regulations. The European Court of Justice (CJEU) has addressed this matter in various cases, including the Star Taxi App case, which offers further clarity on the legal distinctions applicable to ride-hailing and taxi aggregation platforms. Understanding the regulatory landscape Under EU law, the classification of digital services plays a crucial role in determining their regulatory obligations. Directive 2015/1535 defines an “information society service” as one that is: In principle, services that meet these criteria enjoy certain legal protections, limiting the ability of EU Member States to impose restrictive measures such as licensing or operational controls unless specific procedures are followed, including notifying the European Commission. However, transport services are explicitly excluded from this directive and instead fall under national regulatory frameworks, which include requirements for licensing, operational oversight, and price control. The classification of digital platforms operating in the mobility sector depends on their … Continue reading Star Taxi App Case: Shaping EU Ride-Hailing Regulation