Uber Technologies Inc. could soon have a women preferences feature rolled out across the United States. This new pilot program is a step towards increasing safety for female riders. Additionally, this feature helps to connect women drivers to female riders. It has already been successfully tested and rolled out in 40 countries, with Saudi Arabia becoming the first country to launch it six years ago. The announcement comes as Uber continues to pour resources into efforts to curb safety concerns related to its ride-hailing platform.
The move to add more locations comes after a long and concerning track record of reported abuses. According to their own data, Uber perpetrated 5,981 sexual assaults between 2017 and 2018. These numbers showed a shocking drop. Incidents decreased by over 55 percent, going down to 2,717 in the 2021 to 2022 academic year. In its most recent report on the issue, the company documented 36 deaths associated with physical attacks during that same period. This underscores the urgent need for safety improvements.
Uber’s driver demographic has uncovered a huge gender gap. For example, in the United States, only about one in five drivers is female. This disparity underscores why the recently announced tech feature is sorely needed. Second, it seeks to provide a safer, more comfortable space for women who otherwise may not feel comfortable riding near men operators.
Beyond the women preferences feature, Uber has taken other safety measures. The company launched verified rider badges and options for audio and video recording during rides, further enhancing security for both drivers and passengers. Uber’s first release of sexual assault data was in 2017. This isn’t the first time the company has been coy about safety. Last year, the company issued its most recent U.S.
Of note is how much business the company made possible in the U.S. as it was responsible for 1.8 billion rides in 2021 and 2022 combined. This high usage underscores the necessity for effective safety features as Uber continues to grow its presence in the ride-hailing industry.
This is concrete proof of Uber’s deep commitment to safety, we’re sure. It’s preparing to roll out the women preferences feature to all of its U.S. users. This initiative closely aligns with and supports the company’s global strategy. For them, the aim is to address safety issues and provide more inclusive alternatives to all riders.
That announcement is timed perfectly, as we look ahead to our biggest event ever—EMBARK—taking place in San Francisco from October 27-29, 2025. At this event, Uber is expected to announce some new features aimed at increasing user safety.