Two major ride-sharing companies, Uber and Lyft, are now facing class action lawsuits filed by male drivers, alleging discrimination related to new features that allow passengers to request female drivers only. These lawsuits, which claim that the gender-specific options have limited economic opportunities for male drivers, are now drawing significant attention to the intersection of safety and discrimination in the ride-sharing industry.
Lawsuits Against Uber and Lyft Claim Discrimination Against Male Drivers
The lawsuits against Uber and Lyft argue the gender-matching features, which were introduced to address concerns over sexual harassment and assault in the ride-sharing sector, have led to gender discrimination. The plaintiffs contend that these features, which allow users to request only female drivers, violate California’s anti-discrimination laws, specifically the Unruh Act, which prohibits sex-based discrimination by businesses.
The legal action claims that the gender preference policies “reinforce the gender stereotype that men are more dangerous than women” and have resulted in male drivers receiving fewer ride requests than they would have under a gender-neutral system. The lawsuits seek $4,000 in damages per male driver in California for each violation of the law.
Rideshare Apps Respond to Safety Concerns With Gender-Matching Features
The gender-matching features were rolled out by both Uber and Lyft after numerous sexual harassment and assault allegations were made against drivers. Uber introduced its Women Preferences feature in 2019 in Saudi Arabia, expanding it in 2023 to U.S. cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Lyft launched its “Women+ Connect” program in 2023, offering women and nonbinary passengers the option to choose drivers of the same gender.
Both companies claim that these features were created in response to demand from women and nonbinary riders who reported feeling safer when paired with drivers of the same gender. These programs, they argue, are designed to enhance the safety of their riders, especially after troubling reports of sexual assault and harassment in the ride-sharing industry.
Safety Versus Discrimination
While Uber and Lyft argue that these features empower users to feel safer, the California lawsuits suggest that male drivers are being unfairly excluded from opportunities based on their gender. The legal teams representing the plaintiffs argue that male drivers are at a disadvantage and that the policy discriminates against them by offering different treatment based solely on their sex.
Sexual Assault Reports Highlight the Need for Safety Features
Uber and Lyft have both faced numerous allegations of sexual assault and misconduct by drivers. Uber’s U.S. Safety Report from 2021-2022 recorded over 2,700 reports of serious sexual assault, with 92% of the accused being drivers. These figures highlight the ongoing concerns over passenger safety, particularly for women, who represented the majority of victims.
Lyft’s reports from 2017 to 2019 noted over 4,000 reports of sexual assault during rides, further underscoring the widespread issue of safety within the ride-sharing sector. These troubling statistics led to the creation of gender-specific ride-matching programs in an attempt to provide additional security to female passengers.
Need Legal Help? Contact Helping Survivors Today
If you or or a loved one has been a victim of sexual assault while using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, you don’t have to navigate this difficult experience alone. We understand the trauma that comes with these experiences and are committed to fighting for your rights.
Contact Helping Survivors today to discuss your case with a compassionate and experienced sex abuse attorney. Your safety and well-being are our top priority.
