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Uber is reportedly testing continuous background checks for drivers
Background checks have been a problem for ride sharing companies for quite some time. Colorado fined Uber $8.9 million for hiring drivers with criminal records, while more than 8,000 Lyft and Uber drivers failed a Massachusetts background check last year. To combat these issues, Uber committed to vetting its drivers annually this past April. Now the company is apparently rolling out ongoing background checks for its drivers.
Uber unveils much-needed passenger safety features
Uber has taken a lot of flack over passenger safety, but it has just rolled out some long-overdue changes to its app and taken other steps to ensure passengers are secure. First up, a new update will let you automatically provide alerts for up to five "trusted contacts." When you request a ride, the system will prompt you to share the trip and will notify them when you arrive at your destination. It also offers an option to share only nighttime trips.
Uber fined $8.9 million for hiring drivers with criminal records
Uber has notorious issues when it comes to its background checks for its drivers. The company has missed (or outright ignored) criminal records in the past; earlier this year, over 8,000 Uber and Lyft drivers failed a Massachusetts background check. It appears that these issues haven't improved much; this week, Colorado regulators fined Uber for allowing 57 people with criminal offenses to drive for the company. The penalty totals $8.9 million, reports the Denver Post.
Uber drivers the focus of class action suit alleging sexual assault
Uber is facing yet another lawsuit, this time in response to alleged rapes two unidentified women suffered when taking an Uber. According to a report at Recode, the plaintiffs of this class action suit seek compensation for the sexual assaults as well as an injunction to force the ride-sharing company to improve its background checks.
Uber and Lyft may not have to fingerprint drivers in California
Ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft have had some issues with driver background checks over the years. More than 8,000 drivers from both companies failed checks in Massachusetts this year, while Uber was reported to have missed criminal records as far back as 2015. Uber was sued in California over misleading statements around rider safety last year, and both companies promised to leave Austin if fingerprint checks were required. This week, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the ride-hailing services would avoid fingerprint checks in California. Instead, the California Public Utilities Commission proposed that Uber and Lyft would instead have to ensure that background checks are done by an accredited vendor on an annual basis.
Michigan gunman reportedly worked as Uber driver between shootings
Uber has confirmed that the man arrested over the shooting and killing of six people in Kalamazoo, Michigan last Saturday worked as a driver for the company. According to reports, the gunman may have even given rides to customers before, and possibly even during, the night of the incident. One passenger told local news station Wood TV that he believed he was driven by gunman Jason Dalton hours after the shootings happened across the area.
Former New Delhi Uber driver convicted of rape
A former Uber driver has been found guilty of rape in a case that caused New Delhi to ban the ridesharing service. Shiv Kumar Yadav was convicted of rape, kidnapping and criminal intimidation and now faces a maximum life prison term, according to Reuters. The driver somehow slipped past Uber's safety and background driver checks, despite the fact that he was on bail for a separate 2011 assault. Uber India President Amit Jain said that "sexual assault is a terrible crime and we're pleased he has now been brought to justice."
'Uber for kids' car service runs afoul of California laws
Shuddle, an on demand driver service that lets strangers drive your kids around, billing itself as the "Uber for kids", is in trouble with California regulators. The company received a cease and desist letter from the California Public Utilities Commission last November after regulators noticed that Shuddle had yet to register with TrustLine, the state agency that fingerprints and runs background checks on adults working in child care. USA Today reports that so far, Shuddle has yet to comply with the CPUC's demand, opening the company to further regulatory action that could include its halting operations via court order. "Safety is our top priority," CPUC director of news and information Terrie Prosper told USA Today.
