Uber Tightens Driver Screening Amid Sexual Assault Lawsuits

In a bid to bolster rider safety, Uber is introducing more rigorous background checks for its US drivers. The move comes in response to a slew of sexual assault lawsuits, including a recent $8.5 million damages settlement. Under the new guidelines, a wider range of criminal convictions will bar individuals from driving for the company. These include violent felonies such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, and child abuse, even if the offense occurred more than seven years ago. Existing rules already prohibit those convicted of sexual assault, murder, and terrorism from joining the platform. The updated checks will also scrutinize drivers' records for lesser offenses like DUI, reckless driving, and theft within the past seven years. However, Uber is offering a reprieve to approximately 2,000 long-standing drivers with non-sexual felony convictions older than 15 years, provided they have a clean safety record. The company utilizes third-party providers to conduct thorough searches of federal, state, and local databases. By extending its social security number trace from seven years to a lifetime, Uber aims to ensure the most comprehensive checks in the industry. This overhaul is expected to result in the removal of tens of thousands of drivers, roughly 0.5 percent of its US workforce. The shift towards more stringent screening underscores Uber's efforts to address long-standing concerns over rider safety and rebuild trust with its users.