Setting the Record Straight: Uber’s Commitment to Safety and Transparency
Recent media reports have raised serious allegations about Uber’s safety record, including claims that the company has ignored or concealed reports of sexual misconduct and assault. These assertions are not only misleading—they fundamentally misrepresent Uber’s longstanding and ongoing commitment to safety. At Uber, safety is not just a corporate priority—it is a foundational value that shapes every aspect of our platform and operations.
We understand the gravity of the issue. Sexual violence is a pervasive, deeply rooted societal problem. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that over half of women in the United States have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetimes. No institution—whether public or private, transportation-related or otherwise—is completely immune to this crisis. That includes Uber.
However, rather than avoiding this painful reality, Uber has chosen to confront it directly. We have spent billions of dollars and devoted countless hours to build the most comprehensive safety framework in the industry. From robust reporting tools and proactive education campaigns to rigorous background checks and advanced in-app safety technology, Uber has invested heavily to protect both riders and drivers.
A Transparent and Proactive Approach
In 2019, Uber became the first—and remains one of the only—companies in the transportation industry to publish a comprehensive U.S. Safety Report, which included data on serious safety incidents, including sexual assault. This decision was not made lightly. We understood that publishing this data would bring attention to difficult and uncomfortable truths. But we also knew that transparency was essential to drive meaningful change.
The results of our efforts are real and measurable. According to our latest Safety Report, incidents of serious sexual assault during Uber rides in the United States have decreased by 44% between our first and second reporting periods. While we acknowledge that any incident of misconduct is one too many, this downward trend reflects the tangible impact of our continued efforts to make Uber rides safer for everyone.
Understanding the Numbers: Debunking the 400,000 Assault Claim
One of the most concerning claims circulating in recent news is that Uber “hid” data on 400,000 incidents of sexual assault. This is categorically false and grossly misrepresents the facts.
As part of an ongoing lawsuit, Uber was required to disclose internal data covering a six-year period (2017–2022), during which 6.3 billion Uber trips took place in the United States. The figure cited—approximately 400,000 reports—includes all trip-related reports from riders, drivers, or third parties that were classified as involving some form of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior, regardless of severity or verification status.
It’s important to note several critical distinctions:
- Most reports were low-severity and non-physical in nature.
The majority of these reports fall into categories such as inappropriate comments, unwanted staring, flirting, or use of offensive language. While these behaviors are certainly inappropriate and unacceptable, they are not classified as sexual assault under any legal or forensic definition. - Many reports were unaudited and unverified.
Unlike the data published in our independently reviewed Safety Reports, the lawsuit data has not undergone the same comprehensive vetting. This means the reports have not been reviewed for accuracy, classification errors, or intent. In some cases, reports may have been submitted fraudulently or in an attempt to secure a refund—an unfortunate but real phenomenon that we work to detect and prevent. - Incidents were extremely rare when viewed in context.
Even if we were to assume that every single one of those 400,000 reports involved misconduct (which is not the case), they would still represent only 0.006% of the total trips taken over that six-year span. To put it another way, more than 99.994% of Uber rides occurred without any report of this nature. The most severe types of incidents—those categorized as serious sexual assault—occurred in just 0.00002% of trips, or 1 in every 5 million rides.
Why Safety Incidents Happen—And What We’re Doing About It
Despite our best efforts, the unfortunate truth is that no platform, no matter how well-designed or thoroughly monitored, can completely eliminate the risk of safety incidents. With over one billion trips happening each month on Uber globally, the sheer scale of our operations means that, statistically, some incidents will occur. But we reject the idea that rarity equals acceptability.
Every single report, no matter how isolated, is a cause for reflection and response. That’s why Uber continues to invest in developing new safety tools, refining our policies, and enhancing our training programs for both drivers and riders. We’ve launched in-app features like RideCheck, which uses GPS and sensors to detect anomalies in trips, and Emergency Assistance, which allows users to contact emergency services directly from the app.
We also work closely with experts in law enforcement, sexual violence prevention, and public health to inform our approach. Uber’s Safety Advisory Board—comprised of independent specialists in women’s safety, transportation security, and criminal justice—plays a critical role in shaping our strategy and ensuring we stay accountable to our commitments.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
We will never claim to be perfect, and we are fully aware that trust must be earned, not assumed. That’s why we continue to refine our practices based on feedback, data, and evolving best practices. Our goal is not to achieve a single milestone, but to foster a culture of continuous improvement—where safety is not just a department, but a shared responsibility across every team and touchpoint.
We also believe in empowering users with more information and control. For example, we’ve introduced audio recording during trips in select markets, giving both riders and drivers the option to document interactions for later review. Our anonymous feedback channels ensure that people can report issues without fear of retribution. And our investment in background checks—which are continuous and updated in real time—further strengthens our ability to detect and prevent harm.
Safety is not a checkbox to be ticked, but a promise to be kept—trip after trip, day after day. At Uber, we understand the immense responsibility that comes with moving people, and we do not take it lightly. While we are proud of the progress we’ve made, we remain humble in the face of the work that still lies ahead.
We will continue to publish Safety Reports. We will continue to invest in better tools and smarter systems. And we will continue to put the safety of our riders and drivers at the center of everything we do.
Our message is simple: Uber is listening, learning, and leading when it comes to safety. We invite others in the industry to join us—not just in addressing the challenges, but in embracing the transparency and accountability needed to build safer transportation systems for all.