# New York City Sues to Shut Down Empower Ridehail App for Operating Without a License

_Published Friday, March 27, 2026 at 11:33 PM EDT · Products · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

New York City has filed suit against Empower, the ridehail startup that gained a following by undercutting Uber and Lyft on price, alleging the company and its founder Joshua Sear have operated unlawfully without a license for years. The case highlights the ongoing regulatory tension around app-based transportation services that prioritize rapid growth over licensing compliance.

[Instagram]
New York City has sued Empower and its founder Joshua Sear, alleging the ridehail app has been operating illegally for years without a license. Empower grew popular by offering cheap fares. NYC says it never obtained the required authorization to operate.

[LinkedIn]
New York City has filed suit against Empower, the ridehail startup that gained a following by undercutting Uber and Lyft on price, alleging the company and its founder Joshua Sear have operated unlawfully without a license for years. The case highlights the ongoing regulatory tension around app-based transportation services that prioritize rapid growth over licensing compliance.

## Sources


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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/newsDraft.2b51109d-a7c4-4353-b22a-79afb77f35ed
Published: 2026-03-28T03:33:25.000Z
Story chronology: 2026-03-28T03:33:25.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-20T04:31:31.433Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)