LONDON (CBS News) -- London's transport authority said Friday it won't renew Uber's license to operate in the British capital, arguing that it demonstrates a lack of corporate responsibility with implications in public safety and security.

Transport for London (TfL) said in a statement that the car-hailing app was not "fit and proper to hold a private hire operator license."

"TfL considers that Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications," the statement said.

TfL cited Uber's approach to handling serious criminal offenses and its use of software to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app, preventing "officials from undertaking regulator or law enforcement duties."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he supported the decision, saying any operator of taxi services in the city "needs to play by the rules."

He said that "providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security."

Uber, which can appeal within 21 days, promptly issued a response, saying, "If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport."

"Uber operates in more than 600 cities around the world, including more than 40 towns and cities here in the UK," Uber's statement continued. "This ban would show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies who bring choice to consumers."