Uber reveals 3,824 reports of sexual assault and misconduct in US Safety Report

Ride-hailing firm Uber revealed it received 3,824 reports of sexual assault and misconduct across five categories on its ride-hailing app in 2019 and 2020.

The figures released in the company’s second U.S. Safety Report reflects a 38% decline in the rate of reported sexual assaults and misconduct since the first safety report was released over two years ago.

The big decline comes as demand for ride-share options plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Uber sources, demand for its services dropped by 80%.

Tony West, Uber’s Chief Legal Officer, said: “Although the impact of COVID-19 on sexual assault generally remains unclear, data from various federal sources shows a significant increase in violent crime during the pandemic, including murder, which according to the CDC increased nearly 30% in 2020. Government data also revealed that 2020 was the deadliest year on American roads since 2007 as a result of a rise in risky behaviours such as drunk driving, speeding, and not wearing a seat belt. Uber’s platform was not immune to those broader trends.

“As our report shows, Uber received 3,824 reports across the five most severe categories of sexual assault and misconduct. Compared to the first Safety Report, which covered 2017 and 2018, the rate of sexual assault reported on the Uber app decreased by 38%.

“Similar to our first report, Uber’s motor vehicle fatality rate is still half the national average. Consistent with national trends, more than half of the motor vehicle fatalities highlighted in this report include at least one risky behaviour, such as impairment or speeding—and 94% were related to third-party drivers. Third parties were also the accused party in the majority of physical assault fatalities.”