Uber Implements Stricter Background Checks for Drivers

Uber Technologies Inc. is moving to tighten its driver background check policies following a December 2025 investigation by The New York Times that revealed significant gaps in its screening process. The investigation highlighted that Uber had permitted drivers with various serious criminal convictions, including violent felonies, child abuse, assault, and stalking, to operate under its platform, provided the offenses occurred at least seven years prior. Previously, Uber's policy only barred individuals convicted of murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, and terrorism.

The IndependentNew York Times

In response to the investigation, Uber plans to permanently disqualify individuals with convictions for violent felonies, sexual offenses, and child or elder abuse, regardless of when the crimes occurred. The company is also considering revising its policies regarding other serious offenses, such as harassment, restraining order violations, and weapons charges, which are currently permissible if the convictions are older than seven years. The timeline and specifics of how these changes will be implemented remain unclear.

The IndependentNew York Times

The New York Times investigation revealed that Uber received reports of sexual misconduct every eight minutes from 2017 to 2022, amounting to over 400,000 incidents linked to complaints of sexual assault or misconduct. This figure starkly contrasts with the 12,522 cases disclosed in Uber's 2022 safety report for the same period. Uber maintains that 99.9 percent of rides occur without incident, asserting that reports of sexual misconduct represent only 0.006 percent of the 6.3 billion U.S. trips taken during that timeframe. However, the majority of reported incidents involved women, who constituted 89 percent of survivors.

The IndependentNew York Times

Uber has defended its safety record, stating that its approach to safety is continuously evolving. Matt Kallman, an Uber spokesman, emphasized, “Safety isn’t static, and our approach isn’t, either.” The company previously argued that limiting felony disqualifications to the past seven years “strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and giving people with older criminal records a chance to work and rebuild their lives.” Following the investigation, Uber's Head of Safety for the Americas, Hannah Nilles, noted that most reported incidents were non-physical and less severe.

The Independent

Despite Uber's assertions of safety, the revelations from the investigation have prompted criticism regarding the adequacy of its safety measures. Critics argue that allowing individuals with serious criminal histories to drive undermines public safety and that the company must take more decisive action to protect riders.

The Independent

Uber is currently facing over 3,000 pending lawsuits, primarily related to sexual assault and misconduct by drivers. The outcomes of these cases, including a recent federal jury verdict in Phoenix that ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a passenger raped by a driver, may have significant implications for the company's liability and operational policies moving forward.

The Independent