Source: The Guardian
Uber understood it was operating illegally when it launched in Australia and fiercely lobbied governments to legalise its lucrative Australian operations, documents leaked to the Guardian reveal.
Taxis and hire cars are required by Australian state laws to obtain a licence prior to operating, but Uber set up shop in Australia in 2012 without the required permits.
It is a tactic the company has used repeatedly in markets around the world: launch first, establish a loyal customer base, and then lobby aggressively for laws to be changed.