HK Uber drivers found guilty of illegal car hire services

Good progress: The permit allows Uber back into its home state and the chief testing ground for self-driving cars. PIctured is Uber's Volvo XC90 self driving car.

HONG KONG: Five Hong Kong Uber drivers were found guilty of illegally using their vehicles for commercial purposes by a local court, dealing a potential blow to Uber Technologies Inc’s operations in the Asian financial hub.

The ruling is seen having a chilling effect on Hong Kong drivers working for the San Francisco-based company, which is battling similar issues with regulators across Asia, experts said. Uber pulled out of Taiwan less than a month ago.