Court records unsealed in litigation against Uber reveal the company received 400,181 reports of sexual assault or misconduct from U.S. rides between 2017 and 2022, a rate of nearly one every eight minutes. The figures, reviewed by The New York Times, exceed prior public disclosures and highlight ongoing safety challenges in the rideshare industry.
The documents, part of lawsuits accusing Uber of inadequate safety measures, show the company tracked incidents across 21 categories, from flirting to rape. Uber classified about 75% as less serious, such as comments on appearance or explicit language, but the total includes 12,522 serious assaults previously reported in safety summaries. Over 6.3 billion U.S. trips in that period, these reports represented 0.006% of rides, with severe cases at 0.00002%, according to Uber. The company has not issued a safety report since 2022, though filings indicate rising incidents.
Uber’s internal documents, as detailed in the records, indicate safety policies prioritized business growth and limiting liability over stringent oversight. One 2021 memo stated, “Our purpose/goal is not to be the police,” emphasizing a “tolerable risk level” for operations. This approach ties to Uber’s model of classifying drivers as independent contractors, reducing costs on benefits and enabling less direct control compared to employees.
Hannah Nilles, Uber’s head of safety for the Americas, told The Times, “There is no ‘tolerable’ level of sexual assault.” She noted investments in features like GPS tracking, optional audio recording, and a 911 button, plus U.S. driver training on misconduct. Uber disputed downplaying issues, stating, “Safety is a core value at Uber, and we have invested billions of dollars and countless hours to reduce safety incidents during trips.” The company reported a 44% drop in serious assaults since 2019 and ended forced arbitration for such claims in 2018, leading to public lawsuits.
Analysis of Uber sexual assault reports showed patterns: most occurred late nights or weekends, near bars, with women as primary victims and men as offenders, often with prior complaints or low ratings. Uber tested interventions like female-to-female matching, which cut incidents but delayed U.S. rollout due to legal concerns post-2024 election. It’s now piloting in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit. A “Safety Risk Assessed Dispatch” algorithm to avoid high-risk pairings was also developed but not fully implemented.
Lyft, Uber’s competitor, reported thousands of assaults, calling them “statistically very rare” at under 1% of rides. Lyft’s 2024 safety report showed decreases in serious sexual assaults but increases in fatalities. A 2024 U.S. Government Accountability Office study found underreporting of sexual violence across transportation, with no centralized database. The GAO analyzed Uber and Lyft data, noting about 4,600 serious sexual assaults from 2017-2020.
In Maryland, where Uber operates in areas like Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties, rideshare users face similar risks. State law requires background checks for drivers, including fingerprinting and criminal history reviews, to bar those with violent convictions. The Public Service Commission oversees rideshares, mandating insurance and vehicle inspections. Maryland courts have seen Uber sexual assault reports, with lawsuits alleging negligence in hiring and response. A 2019 Uber study cited 3,045 nationwide assaults over two years, prompting local attorneys to handle cases for victims seeking compensation.
Southern Maryland residents, often using Uber for trips to Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, can report incidents through the app or to police. State guidelines encourage immediate reporting, with options for anonymous tips via platforms like Maryland’s sexual assault hotlines. Local firms advise documenting details, seeking medical care, and filing police reports to preserve evidence for claims. Uber’s safety toolkit includes sharing trip details with contacts and real-time location tracking, features promoted in 2025 updates.
The unsealed records stem from post-arbitration lawsuits, exposing internal deliberations. Uber’s 2025 features include verified rider badges and speed alerts, aiming to enhance trust. Industry-wide, the GAO recommended better data sharing to track patterns. For Southern Maryland, where rural routes mix with urban commutes, these Uber sexual assault reports underscore verifying driver details and using in-app emergency tools.
Rideshares grew in Maryland post-2015 legalization, with Uber serving tri-county areas for work and events. State data shows thousands of active drivers, but no public breakdown of local Uber sexual assault reports. Victims can pursue civil suits under Maryland’s three-year statute for assault, often against Uber for vicarious liability. The Times’ review highlights how delayed safety rollouts, like gender matching, could impact regions with high female ridership.
As litigation continues, Uber faces pressure to audit reports and expand pilots. The GAO noted assaults affect drivers too, with 2022 data showing attacks on them. In Baltimore, near Southern Maryland, police warned of carjackings targeting rideshares in 2022. Users are advised to ride in groups late at night and confirm vehicle matches.
These revelations build on Uber’s 2019 report of 208 fatalities in crashes, emphasizing broader safety. For Southern Maryland, reliant on rides for Potomac River outings or D.C. access, understanding Uber sexual assault reports aids informed choices.
