> it's obvious that the regulation is backwards Not disagreeing here. However, fines are put in place as a deterrent. In this instance, their purpose is a puni

> it's obvious that the regulation is backwards Not disagreeing here. However, fines are put in place as a deterrent. In this instance, their purpose is a punishment for breaking a law. Uber is treating them like a tax and the government appears to disagree with that interpretation. If this were a case of a chemical company continuing to improperly dispose of waste, i'm sure at some point you'd want the government to step in over continued violations (i.e., stop them when they are clearly not acting in 'good faith').