Uber names COO as EU moves to regulate the service

The European Union's top court has ruled that ride-hailing service Uber should be regulated like a taxi company, a decision that could change the way it functions across the continent. Barney Harford, former CEO of Orbitz, joins Uber as its first COO. SAN FRANCISCO -- Uber named its first-ever chief operating officer Wednesday, a move designed to remake the upper ranks of the ride-hailing company as it grapples with fallout from its previous leadership. Barney Harford, the former CEO of travel company Orbitz, takes up his position January 2 as second-in-command to recently installed CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, a onetime rival and colleague from both men's tenures in the online travel business. Harford has been working at Uber as an advisor to Khosrowshahi since October, and will oversee global operations, marketing and customer support.