FCC chief takes Uber's side in battle with DC Council

Julius Genachowski, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said on Tuesday that he is on the side of car service Uber in its struggle to avoid local Washington, D.C., regulations.

"There’s a debate right now in Washington about rules that could discourage the innovative on-demand car service company Uber. Not hard to guess which side I’m on — I’m on the side of innovation," Genachowski said in a speech in Washington on broadband policy.

Genachowski said federal and local regulators play a vital role in protecting consumers and encouraging investment, but that they should use a "light touch" and not erect roadblocks to innovation.

Uber is a mobile app that lets users order a ride from a nearby sedan. The D.C. Taxicab Commission is urging the City Council to impose tough regulations on the service.  

Uber is also battling regulatory hurdles in New York and other cities.

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