Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has sent a letter to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi seeking information about the company's response to sexual assault and misconduct during rides. The request includes a briefing on Uber’s current policies for preventing, reporting, and addressing such incidents, as well as any planned efforts to improve user safety.
In her letter, Mace cited recent reports that Uber receives a "report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes." She added that "from 2017 to 2022, a total of 400,181 Uber trips resulted in reports of sexual assault and sexual misconduct in the United States," which is much higher than the 12,552 cases previously disclosed by Uber. Mace wrote: “The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation is conducting oversight of corporate practices and the roles of federal agencies that may impact consumer safety. Recent reporting has highlighted that Uber receives a ‘report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes.’ Specifically, news coverage states that ‘from 2017 to 2022, a total of 400,181 Uber trips resulted in reports of sexual assault and sexual misconduct in the United States,’ a number significantly higher than the 12,552 cases previously disclosed by Uber.”
Sami’s Law was enacted in January 2023 and directed the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study what steps ridesharing companies are taking to protect riders and drivers. The GAO released its report in September 2024 and found that available data does not fully capture how many assaults occur within ridesharing services. This suggests ongoing safety concerns for those using these platforms.
Mace also stated: “This reporting and the prevalence of incidents raises questions about how Uber identifies, responds to, and discloses incidents of sexual assault and sexual misconduct on its platform. The disparity between previously disclosed data and recent reporting raises concerns about the accuracy and completeness of safety data. The Subcommittee is particularly concerned that underreporting or delayed disclosure of such incidents could hinder policymakers, law enforcement, and the public from fully understanding the scope of the problem and making informed decisions.”
James Comer currently serves as U.S. Representative for Kentucky’s 1st district after replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012. Comer was born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972 and lives in Tompkinsville. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BS degree in 1993.
