— Taylor Momsen after trying on her Cindy Lou Who outfit from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. What in the Whoville?
US News
Uber's Background Checks Have Limits
What’s going on: After a long day, you probably open the Uber app on autopilot — check the car, hop in, scroll. But a New York Times investigation raises questions about the company’s driver screening. It found that in 22 states, Uber allows drivers with past convictions, such as assault, stalking, or child abuse, if they happened more than seven years ago. In 35 states, background checks mainly cover where a driver lived during that time — which means earlier offenses in other states may never show up. The company defended its seven-year cutoff for some felony convictions and said it balances public safety with second chances. But internal documents reviewed by the Times show executives debated and rejected tougher policies, like fingerprinting or in-person interviews. Uber also lobbied against stricter screening laws in multiple states.
What it means: The investigation helps explain why so many of us send those “I’m home” texts to each other. The findings also add extra scrutiny to a company that, according to court records, received a sexual assault or sexual misconduct report in the US nearly every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2024. With thousands of sexual assault lawsuits against Uber and Lyft, passengers are left to create safety plans. If a ride ever feels off, you have options. Share your trip with someone you trust. Use the app’s safety tools. Stay on the phone with a friend — or make it look like you are. Even small, deterrent cues can help, like casually saying you can’t wait to see someone when you arrive, even if “someone” is just your couch.
