New allegations are surfacing in court as Uber faces ongoing sexual assault lawsuits. According to recent findings, the company received a report of sexual assault or misconduct roughly every eight minutes over a five-year span.
Unsealed documents reveal higher rates of reported incidents
According to the New York Times, newly unsealed court filings show that reports of sexual assault and misconduct between 2017 and 2022 occurred at higher rates than Uber had previously disclosed. The documents are part of an ongoing class-action lawsuit, in which passengers claim they were sexually assaulted while using the Uber app and that the company failed to protect them from drivers.
Over the five-year period, the New York Times reports Uber logged more than 400,000 safety complaints, far exceeding the 12,500 incidents the company disclosed in its safety reports.
The company emphasizes that most of the 400,000 reports referenced in recent lawsuits were minor and not classified as sexual assault, with only a tiny fraction involving serious incidents.
Uber’s response: safety remains a core mission
Uber negates the article claiming they turned a blind eye to the allegations and reaffirmed safety is at the company’s core mission, including the investment of billions of dollars to fight sexual violence. Uber acknowledges the challenge of addressing sexual violence but said it has done more than any other company to improve safety.
The company highlights a 44% drop in serious sexual assault reports since 2017 and stresses its commitment to transparency, being one of the first to publish such data publicly.
Uber points out that with over a billion trips monthly, safety incidents are rare but not acceptable and it continues to work on making every trip safer.
“Furthermore, most of the approximately 400,000 reports are unaudited, meaning they haven’t gone through the same rigorous vetting process as the data included in our Safety Reports,” wrote Hannah Nilles, head of safety for the Americas at Uber.
Uber also explains its use of a trip-matching algorithm called Safety Risk Assessed Dispatch (S-RAD), which helps reduce conflicts by pairing riders and drivers more effectively. While it’s not a perfect predictor, Uber says S-RAD contributed to a 10% reduction in sexual assault reports.
Regarding litigation, Uber stresses its survivor-focused internal response process, which doesn’t require proof to act and provides support through a hotline and fund. The company waived mandatory arbitration for sexual misconduct claims to give survivors control over how to pursue cases, resulting in some high-profile lawsuits.
Stricter screening and verification for drivers and riders
In its latest report in 2022, Uber said it ramped up safety checks for both drivers and riders. Since 2021, over 750,000 people failed its multi-step driver screening, and more than 185,000 were removed from the app after ongoing background reviews.
The company has also banned 15,000 rider accounts tied to fake or flagged names. In some cities, riders now need to upload ID before their first trip and may receive a “verified rider” badge to help drivers feel safer accepting rides.
In 2023, Uber pledged $10 million over five years to support groups working to end gender-based violence. The company now partners with seven U.S. organizations, including RAINN and NO MORE, to help shape safety features and launch public awareness campaigns like “Stand up, don’t stand by.”
According to the Times, internal Uber communications suggest sexual assault remains underreported. The company has observed patterns, most cases happen late at night, often involve intoxicated passengers and are typically linked to drivers with low ratings or prior complaints.
Patterns in incidents and safety tool challenges
Uber has introduced safety tools like GPS tracking, in-app emergency buttons and optional audio or video recording. But many of these features remain voluntary, with the company citing cost, legal challenges and privacy concerns. It said data from 2023 will show critical sexual assault rates at their lowest in years.
According to Uber, it receives safety reports from multiple sources, including the app, safety line, social media and law enforcement. Specialized teams then review and classify each report. Agents receive 200+ hours of training in trauma-informed support and investigation. They work 24/7 to respond to incidents with care and confidentiality.
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Author: Cole Lauterbach
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