Skip to content
All about technology.

Uber is under fire with escalating sexual misconduct allegations, sparking growing safety worries

Mounting safety concerns lead Uber to face approximately 2,200 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. This article explores Uber lawsuits, rider safety concerns, and the corporate irresponsibility within the gig economy.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Uber Faces Increasing Numbers of Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits Amidst Escalating Safety Worries
Uber Faces Increasing Numbers of Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits Amidst Escalating Safety Worries

Uber is under fire with escalating sexual misconduct allegations, sparking growing safety worries

Uber is currently embroiled in one of the largest waves of sexual assault lawsuits in U.S. history. Over 2,500 cases have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of California, as of mid-2025 [1][2][3][4][5].

Plaintiffs allege that Uber failed to properly screen and supervise its drivers, ignored reports of sexual misconduct, and prioritized growth over passenger safety. These allegations include negligence, breach of contract, and vicarious liability for driver assaults. Uber faces mounting pressure to settle these cases as bellwether trials are scheduled, including a first trial set for December 2025.

The lawsuits claim Uber breached its contractual duty to protect passengers and concealed known risks, potentially exposing the company to regulatory scrutiny and stricter safety mandates. Discovery disputes and legal battles over confidential evidence show the litigation is intensifying, with Uber opposing requests to share certain internal documents to defend itself [1][3][4][5].

Key legal issues in these cases focus on negligence and failure to properly screen and supervise drivers, ignoring and covering up complaints of sexual assault, breach of Uber’s duty and contract to provide safe rides, vicarious liability for assaults by drivers as Uber representatives, and the use of forced arbitration to limit survivors’ ability to pursue litigation.

Uber's safety measures include RideCheck (which detects discrepancies in trip routes), encrypted trip recording, and an in-app emergency button. However, critics argue that these safety measures were implemented years too late, as a New York Times investigation found that Uber intentionally withheld unused safety tools [4].

Between 2017 and 2022, Uber received approximately 400,000 reports of sexual misconduct, which equates to one report every eight minutes. Analysts believe any payouts from Uber's lawsuits could resemble those of Big Tobacco or opioid lawsuits, given the magnitude of the harm [6].

The safety crisis facing Uber could potentially change the gig economy as we know it. The future of Uber's settlement strategy is unclear as the company prepares for trials, and its legacy is at stake due to the multiplying lawsuits.

Safety advocates recommend that riders verify the driver, share trip details with trusted contacts, and report incidents immediately using Uber’s 24/7 safety line. The Heritage Foundation accused Uber of violating civil rights laws with its "Women's Preferences" pilot program in July 2025, a claim Uber disputes [7].

References:

[1] New York Times. (2025, July). Uber Faces Wave of Sexual Assault Lawsuits. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/business/uber-sexual-assault-lawsuits.html

[2] Reuters. (2025, July). Uber Loses Motion to Dismiss Core Claims in California. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uber-lawsuit-idUSKCN24P24N

[3] Associated Press. (2025, July). Uber Lawsuit: Driver Assaulted Passenger After 5-Hour Detour. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/956c24e8c99f47c1a682f381b7c8f25c

[4] New York Times. (2025, August). Uber Intentionally Withheld Safety Tools, New York Times Investigation Finds. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/business/uber-safety-tools.html

[5] CNN Business. (2025, September). Uber Faces Over 2,200 Lawsuits Related to Sexual Assaults by Drivers. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/01/business/uber-sexual-assault-lawsuits.html

[6] Forbes. (2025, October). Uber Lawsuits: What Are the Potential Consequences for the Company? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2025/10/01/uber-lawsuits-what-are-the-potential-consequences-for-the-company/

[7] The Washington Post. (2025, July). Uber Accused of Civil Rights Violations in "Women's Preferences" Pilot Program. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/07/01/uber-womens-preferences-civil-rights-lawsuit/

Read also:

Related

Latest