2,000+ Assault Cases Force Uber’s Major Shift

A line of cars stuck in traffic on a roadway

Uber is revolutionizing its rideshare service with a groundbreaking feature that could change how women travel—an option to select female drivers for safer rides.

At a Glance

Uber introduces a feature allowing riders to choose female drivers.
Over 2,000 sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against Uber since 2025.
Legal pressures and public scrutiny have prompted safety improvements.
The new feature aims to enhance safety and restore trust among female riders.

The Rocky Road to Safety

Uber, the rideshare giant that transformed urban commuting, is no stranger to controversy. Founded in 2009, Uber quickly became a household name, but not without mounting its share of legal and public relations challenges. By 2018, a CNN investigation brought widespread attention to sexual assault allegations involving Uber drivers, casting a shadow over the company’s rapid expansion. This led to Uber’s first US Safety Report in 2019, revealing nearly 6,000 allegations from 2017 to 2018 alone.

These reports were not isolated incidents. Continued annual safety reports showed thousands of cases, with 2,717 individual reports in the latest 2021-2022 period. Legal actions escalated, with a staggering 2,380 lawsuits filed as of July 2025. Uber’s decentralized driver model and rapid growth were criticized for prioritizing expansion over user safety, a claim that’s hard to shake off when faced with such daunting numbers.

Introducing the Female Preference Feature

In response to growing pressures, Uber has stepped up its game with a feature allowing riders to select female drivers. This option, designed to enhance safety and comfort for women riders, is a direct result of the intense scrutiny and legal battles Uber has faced. The company’s new feature is part of a broader effort to overhaul its rider security strategy, alongside other app updates like in-app emergency buttons and ride tracking.

While some critics argue these measures are long overdue, they represent a significant shift in Uber’s approach to safety. By offering female riders the choice of female drivers, Uber aims to address concerns and rebuild trust with a demographic that has been disproportionately affected by safety issues.

Legal and Regulatory Pressures

The road to implementing such features hasn’t been smooth. Legal actions against Uber have been a driving force behind the company’s safety enhancements. With thousands of lawsuits pending, Uber faces substantial financial and reputational risks. Settlement amounts have averaged around $330,000, a costly reminder that these issues can’t be ignored.

Regulators and advocacy groups have also played a pivotal role, pressuring Uber to adopt more stringent safety protocols. The introduction of gender-based driver matching is seen as a positive step, but many argue that further measures, such as in-car cameras and biometric background checks, are necessary to ensure comprehensive safety.

The Broader Impact on Rideshare and Gig Economy

Uber’s new feature could set a precedent for the rideshare industry and the broader gig economy. As Uber navigates this complex legal and regulatory landscape, other platforms like Lyft are watching closely. The introduction of female preference options could become an industry standard, prompting competitors to follow suit.

Beyond the rideshare sector, the gig economy as a whole faces scrutiny regarding worker vetting and platform responsibility. As public trust wavers, the pressure to increase safety and transparency grows. Uber’s ongoing challenges highlight the need for a balance between growth and user safety, a lesson that resonates across the industry.