Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Uber Plans Permanent Ban on Drivers With Violent or Sexual Convictions

The shift follows investigative findings plus intensifying legal pressure over driver vetting.

Overview

  • The pending policy would also bar drivers with convictions for child or elder abuse or endangerment, with no timeline yet disclosed for implementation.
  • A New York Times investigation found that in 22 states Uber had approved applicants with serious convictions if the crimes were more than seven years old.
  • Internal documents indicated more than 400,000 trips from 2017 to 2022 drew sexual assault or misconduct complaints, far exceeding figures in Uber’s public safety reports.
  • Uber faces more than 3,000 lawsuits related to alleged driver assaults, and a Phoenix federal jury recently awarded $8.5 million to a rider in a case that may influence similar claims.
  • Uber is considering tighter rules on offenses such as harassment, restraining‑order violations and weapons charges, as policymakers in California and Virginia pursue stricter oversight.