The removal of the ads will unlikely have a catastrophic effect on Uber's growing popularity in London, but it marks the latest in a series of negative PR stories for the company in the region. Last week a gay couple claimed they were thrown out of an Uber cab in London after they "kissed" and "cuddled" in the back of the car. Globally, Uber is tackling a far deeper reputation crisis, tackling PR nightmares ranging from bans in certain cities, to sexual harassment and rape claims leveled at its drivers, and to one of its executives reportedly suggesting digging up and publicizing personal details of a female journalist. Uber has since acknowledged the latter comments, from SVP Emil Michael, were "terrible and do not represent the company."