San Francisco – Uber’s ongoing challenge with sexual assault incidents on its platform continues to draw scrutiny, as highlighted by a recent tweet from Eric Newcomer, referencing a "well-reported story" by Emily Steel on "Uber’s festering sexual assault problem." This commentary underscores the persistent nature of safety concerns that have prompted the ride-hailing giant to release multiple transparency reports.
Uber first began publishing comprehensive safety reports in 2019, following public pressure and investigations, including a 2018 CNN inquiry into sexual assault allegations against drivers. These reports aim to provide data on serious safety incidents occurring on its U.S. platform. The company's commitment to transparency has been a direct response to the critical reporting from journalists like Emily Steel, who has extensively covered sexual harassment and assault within the tech industry.
According to Uber's second U.S. Safety Report, covering 2019 and 2020, a total of 3,824 sexual assault incidents were reported on its platform. This figure includes categories ranging from non-consensual kissing to non-consensual sexual penetration. While Uber stated that the rate of reported sexual assaults decreased by 38 percent compared to the previous reporting period (2017-2018), the sheer volume of incidents remains a significant concern for riders and drivers.
In its initial 2019 report, Uber disclosed 3,045 sexual assault reports for 2018 alone, alongside 2,936 in 2017. The company emphasizes that, statistically, these incidents are rare when compared to the billions of trips completed annually. Despite this, Uber acknowledges that "even one critical safety incident is unacceptable because it represents the personal experience of someone in the Uber community."
In response to these persistent issues, Uber has implemented various safety measures, including enhanced background checks, in-app emergency buttons, and partnerships with organizations focused on sexual violence prevention. The company also states its commitment to continually improving platform safety for all users. However, legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny persist, with instances such as the California Public Utilities Commission fining Uber for failing to provide additional data on sexual harassment incidents.