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Shameful tactics from @Uber_Sydney charging increased rates to get people out of the #sydneysiege area. —

(@SleeperHit) December 15, 2014

Uber said on its smartphone app that the rates had been increased because “Demand is off the charts!” according to Mashable.

But Uber, which offers a service based on hailing taxis from its app, quickly backtracked after an outcry on social media.

The company explained that it had used automatic “surge pricing” to encourage more drivers to get online and pick up passengers.

It wrote Monday on its Sydney blog that it was in the process of refunding people who had already paid the excessive fares and was giving free rides to others wanting to leave.

“We are all concerned with the events happening in Sydney,” Uber wrote on the blog, adding that its thoughts were with those affected by the “Sydney siege” crisis and the New South Wales police force.

Many users had earlier expressed outrage: “you are horrible. Taking advantage of a situation to make a buck. If u were the only way home, I’D WALK!” wrote one person on Twitter under the hashtag #ubersydney.

The crisis began Monday morning when a gunman took an unknown number of hostages at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in downtown Sydney. The usually busy area became deserted as Christmas shoppers fled, offices were evacuated and streets closed.