Key Takeaways
- Uber's public safety claims starkly contrast with an internal count of hundreds of thousands of sexual assault reports.
- Internal documents reveal Uber knew about widespread sexual violence patterns on its platform as early as 2016.
- Uber delayed implementing potentially life-saving safety features, prioritizing business concerns over rider protection.
Deep Dives
Hidden Assaults
- Emily Steel's investigation revealed over 400,000 internal Uber reports of sexual assault or misconduct between 2017 and 2022.
- This internal figure significantly exceeds Uber's publicly disclosed total, which only accounts for the five most severe categories.
- Uber categorized about 75% of these reports as 'less serious,' such as inappropriate comments, but acknowledged serious incidents remained.
Early Awareness
- By 2016, Uber's own data scientists had identified clear patterns in sexual violence, including late-night incidents and vulnerable intoxicated women.
- Analysis showed offenders were often male drivers or passengers with prior misconduct complaints and low ratings, indicating predictable risks.
Prioritizing Profits
- Uber explored a predictive algorithm that could anticipate 15% of sexual assaults but delayed full implementation due to business disruption concerns.
- The company also delayed a women-matching feature in the U.S., fearing $100 million in potential legal and financial risks.
- Uber chose not to warn customers about risky ride patterns, fearing it would deter riders and contradict their marketed safety image.