Women file class action in Australia accusing Uber of failing to protect riders

Slater and Gordon announced it is probing Uber’s passenger-safety systems in Australia after a group of women reported sexual assault, harassment, or other misconduct by drivers and are considering a class-action suit. Practice group leader Cindy Bors said the action focuses on Uber’s broader duty to protect riders, questioning whether the contractor model shields the company from liability. Uber has repeatedly maintained that drivers are independent contractors and that it merely matches riders with them, but critics argue this does not excuse failures to prevent assaults.

The investigation references earlier Australian legal challenges, Fair Work Commission rulings on driver deactivations, and U.S. cases where Uber was ordered to pay damages and disclosed far more assault allegations than previously reported. Uber’s spokesperson reiterated a commitment to safety and cited ongoing reforms, while a 60 Minutes segment will spotlight the 2021 assault of Canberra student Taylor Mostacci and the driver’s reinstatement after her complaint. The case could force Uber to overhaul its risk-assessment algorithms and response procedures.