Uber expands options for drivers, riders to opt out of men

Source: Mashable Tech

Overview

Uber is now offering its women‑only safety feature, known as Women Preferences, to users nationwide. The feature lets riders and drivers select gender preferences for ride matches and schedule rides with women drivers. It is also available for Uber Teen Accounts.

“Women Preferences was created because women asked for it,” the company wrote in a March 9 blog post.

Availability

• Pilot markets: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit (launched July last year).
• Current reach: Drivers in 40 countries; riders in seven countries (the U.S., Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Brazil, and Spain).
• Usage: According to Uber, Women Preferences has been used for 230 million rides since its launch.

Comparison with Lyft

Lyft introduced a similar feature—connecting women and nonbinary riders to non‑male drivers—nearly two years earlier. The company later expanded its Women+ Connect tool nationwide in 2024. Both Uber and Lyft have faced criticism for not doing enough to address rider assaults (NY Times, Jan 2026).

Legal Issues

• Recent liability: Last month Uber was found partially liable for sexual violence perpetrated by one of its drivers and ordered to pay more than $8 million in damages. Rider Jaylynn Dean sued after being raped in 2023 and learning the company had not notified her that her trip was flagged for a potential serious safety incident.
• Ongoing lawsuits: Uber faces thousands of pending sexual assault and sexual misconduct lawsuits (NY Times, Aug 2025).
• Male driver claims: A group of male ride‑share drivers has alleged that gender‑based safety features constitute workplace discrimination. They have filed several lawsuits claiming lost wages and are exploring grounds for a class‑action lawsuit (Mashable article).