Increased scrutiny across the country was likely triggered by the New York Times. Last August Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2022, sealed court records show, a level far more pervasive than what the company has disclosed, wrote the Times. But rather than put the brakes on its drivers by more diligent background checks, for instance, the giant rideshare company chose to expand its business, which meant hiring more drivers. The NYT found that Uber’s background checks allowed convicted felons to drive and drivers with records of complaints from passengers were still driving.
Pressure Mounting
From California to New York to Washington, Uber is facing increased pressure to be held accountable. In January 2026, the Attorney General of California proposed a ballot initiative whereby ride-hailing companies would be legally responsible for sexual misconduct and assault against drivers and passengers. Passing the ballot initiative is vital: it would classify rideshare companies as “common carriers,” placing them under similar regulations as taxis and trains, which would require them to protect passengers and warn them of known dangers.
The New York State comptroller is putting the pressure on Uber’s board by way of shareholders to release a “transparency report” detailing its oversight of passenger safety. And in Washington, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell denounced Uber for prioritizing its bottom line over safety in a letter she sent to Uber’s chief executive. “It is extremely disturbing that Uber’s failure to make appropriate updates to policy and take meaningful action at several critical points to protect the company’s image and bottom line has led to assaults that could have been prevented,” Dingell said. Her next step: a congressional hearing and explore legislation on the issue.
Uber Defense – Independent Contractors
In a Phoenix courtroom where Uber is facing one of thousands of sexual assault liability lawsuits, the rideshare company argues that it isn’t liable for sexual assaults committed by its drivers because they are independent contractors rather than employees, reported Courthouse News. Misclassification has been key to rideshare company’s success, allowing Uber in particular to avoid major costs, such as worker benefits. For more than a decade, many Uber drivers’ lawsuits have demanded they be classified as employees.
Last September, the jury in California state court found that Uber was not responsible for a sexual assault that a woman said she experienced during a 2016 ride. The woman’s lawyer said after the verdict that it was a “sad day for victims of sexual abuse across the country.” An Uber spokesperson said “Uber has worked for years to raise the bar on safety, and we’ll continue to do so in the years ahead.” Always considering the bottom line…
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