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Internet Group Sends Letter To De Blasio Opposing 'Stifling' Taxi Smartphone App Regulations

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Some of the nation's leading Internet companies are lobbying against a proposed change to New York City taxi policy.

Washington-based lobbying group, the Internet Association, sent a letter to New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission on Thursday.

Web Extra: Click Here To Read The Letter

The letter was signed by such companies as Yahoo, AOL and eBay. It announced the group's opposition to a proposed TLC regulation over the taxi smartphone app market.

Under the regulation, smartphone app operators must apply for approval for any updates to their taxi-hailing software.

The Internet companies feel that the rule would stifle innovation and hurt business.

"In recent years, New York City has become a vibrant hub of tech innovation, creating exciting opportunities for economic growth and diversification," said Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman. "But the rules proposed by Mayor de Blasio's administration would stifle innovation and the progress it has brought to New York City. This is why the entire internet has come together to protest the de Blasio administration's rules. Internet companies should not have to ask government for permission to innovate.The Big Apple should maintain its current policies supporting 'permissionless' versus 'permission slip' innovation."

Smartphone apps have become a popular means of hailing taxis, especially through providers like Uber, in New York.

A hearing on the regulation is set for later this month.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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