Uber, the ridesharing giant, finds itself amid a legal battle, as hundreds of women nationwide have filed lawsuits claiming insufficient protection against sexual assault and harassment during rides. In a significant development, 80 of these cases have been consolidated in federal court, with Judge Charles Breyer of northern California presiding over the pre-trial proceedings.
These cases, often referred to as “bellwether trials,” are seen as “test” cases that help attorneys understand how the succeeding cases will go. These trials carry the potential to shape the outcome of numerous similar lawsuits across various states. The legal process is expected to unfold over the next two years, drawing attention to the critical issue of safety within the ridesharing industry.
Allegations within the lawsuits range from incidents of groping and kidnapping to harrowing cases of rape. Victims argue that Uber possesses the ability to make rides safer but has inadequately responded to such incidents. They contend that Uber conducts mediocre-level background checks on drivers and often fails to take appropriate action following filed allegations of sexual assault.
Another point of anger stems from the absence of dashcam recorders in vehicles, which victims argue would enhance safety and accountability. Uber, however, has so far refrained from implementing this safety measure.
“I agree with having dashcams because if the drivers knew they were being watched, there would be less attempts of sexual assault,” said Lennon Mitchell, a senior computer science major. “I also believe the riders could record on their own devices as well for extra safety.”
Uber spokesperson Gabriela Condarco-Quesada acknowledged the gravity of sexual assault and emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing each allegation seriously while prioritizing user safety.
“I’ve used Uber a couple times, and every time, I have been anxious to get in the car because most, if not all, drivers make me uneasy,” said Makenna Etheridge, a junior criminal justice major. “It’s almost a last resort to use an Uber for me.”
Uber’s terms of use explicitly disallow sexual assault class action lawsuits against the company, mandating that each case be tried individually. This policy has been a subject of criticism and legal challenge.
“The combining of the cases has, historically, been more impactful in terms of the American legislative system,” said Amanda Respess, a senior mass communication lecturer at GC. “As far as Uber making their services safer, there is a lot of technology that would enable that, but it may result in people having to give up their privacy, given that they may need to be tracked or recorded. Personally, I would submit to tracking or recording if that ensured my safety.”
In a revealing statistic, Uber’s safety report from 2020 disclosed 9,805 sexual assault reports from 2017 to 2020, including 852 reports of rape. These figures highlight the urgency of the issue and the need for robust safety measures within the ridesharing platform.
Furthermore, despite the introduction of a “Safe Rides Fee” in 2014, the fees collected have not been utilized to enhance passenger safety. Uber claimed the fee would be put toward safety education and extensive background checks. The absence of in-vehicle cameras, cursory background checks for drivers and the inability for passengers to request drivers of a specific gender have raised concerns about the company’s safety standards.
Adding to Uber’s gray legal history, in July 2022, an anonymous former executive came forward with accusations of malpractice towards passengers within the organization, casting doubt on the company’s commitment to address issues adequately.
This former executive, who remains nameless, highlighted that Uber has a “kill switch” that activates when law enforcement is notified about an issue within an Uber vehicle, which has been criticized for delaying — or even preventing — information from being sent to the police. This switch is said to eliminate all data regarding drivers, passengers and incidents from the computers confiscated by the police. IT computers in Uber offices turn completely black, hindering police investigations.
The lawsuits against Uber underscore the pressing need for ridesharing platforms to prioritize consumer safety and respond effectively to allegations of sexual harassment and assault. As the legal battle unfolds, victims, families and other citizens are eager to see how these cases will influence safety and accountability within the ridesharing industry.
