The Daily Every Eight Minutes: Uber’s Alarming Sexual Violence Problem
245 snips
Aug 8, 2025 
Emily Steel, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, dives into the alarming reality of sexual violence associated with Uber rides. She uncovers that over 400,000 incidents were reported between 2017 and 2022, highlighting significant negligence by executives. Steel discusses the troubling patterns of assault, discrepancies in Uber’s incident classification, and the company’s struggles to balance safety with business goals. The conversation also touches on the safety challenges faced by female drivers and the need for improved accountability within the rideshare industry.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Houston Uber Assault Story
- A woman in Houston was picked up by an Uber driver, whose route diverted unexpectedly for hours.
- She alleges being taken to a motel and raped, leading Uber to ban the driver immediately afterward.
Uber’s Hidden Assault Data
- Uber recorded one report of sexual assault or misconduct every eight minutes in the U.S. between 2017 and 2022.
- The total reports were over 400,000, far exceeding what Uber publicly disclosed as serious assaults.
Patterns in Uber Assaults
- Uber data scientists found attack patterns: victims mostly women, assaults late at night, and offenders often had prior misconduct records.
- Intoxicated passengers and bar pickups notably increased assault risk during rides.