Uber faces potential Australian class action over alleged sexual assaults of female passengers

Ride-share giant Uber could face a class action in Australia over allegations of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct involving drivers, with lawyers examining whether the company failed to adequately protect female passengers.

According to NewsWire report, law firm Slater and Gordon has launched an investigation into Uber’s safety procedures, driver screening and handling of complaints, inviting women who have experienced alleged misconduct to come forward.

The investigation will consider whether shortcomings in the company’s policies and practices contributed to passenger safety risks, and whether affected women could pursue compensation.

Slater and Gordon practice group leader Cindy Bors said the investigation would focus on Uber’s broader responsibilities rather than allegations against individual drivers.

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“Women should be able to get home in an Uber safely, without being frightened or violated by the person behind the wheel, or left wondering whether anyone will listen and act,” she said.

The firm is examining driver background checks, safety training, complaint investigations and measures intended to prevent inappropriate behaviour.

Women are being encouraged to register their experiences regardless of whether they previously reported incidents to police or Uber.

The investigation follows growing scrutiny of Uber’s safety record overseas.

In the United States, reporting by The New York Times identified more than 400,000 trips involving reports of sexual assault or misconduct between 2017 and 2022, substantially exceeding the number of serious sexual assaults previously disclosed publicly by Uber.

Thousands of legal claims have also been brought against the company in the US.

Uber maintains it has invested billions of dollars in passenger safety, including technology, screening procedures and systems for reporting inappropriate conduct.

A company spokeswoman said Uber took every sexual assault report seriously and remained committed to strengthening its safety measures.

The company also confirmed it had not been served with Australian class action proceedings.

Slater and Gordon says its investigation will determine whether alleged experiences reveal systemic failures that could justify collective legal action.

No Australian class action has yet commenced, and no finding of liability has been made against Uber in relation to the proposed proceedings.