Uber Faces Scrutiny Following Investigation Revealing Approval of Drivers with Violent Histories: Report

Uber, the widely-used ride-share platform, is said to be taking significant steps to enhance its background check procedures. This initiative comes in the wake of reports detailing that the company had previously allowed individuals with violent criminal records to drive for them.

This decision follows an investigation by The New York Times, which highlighted the company’s current policy where drivers with past criminal convictions, even for violent felonies, were permitted to continue driving.

Historically, Uber has prohibited drivers with convictions for murder, terrorism, sexual assault, and kidnapping from being part of its service.

Nevertheless, the Times’ investigation revealed that in 22 states, Uber had allowed drivers with convictions for serious offenses such as child abuse, stalking, and assault, provided these convictions were over seven years old.

In these 22 states, Uber reportedly approved drivers with historical criminal convictions as long as those occurred more than seven years ago. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Uber previously said the seven-year cutoff “strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and giving people with older criminal records a chance to work and rebuild their lives,” according to the Times.

The outlet’s investigation revealed from 2017 to 2022, Uber received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct on an average of every eight minutes. The report also revealed Uber permitted drivers to continue operating within the company after receiving complaints from riders, and only banned them after serious allegations were lodged. 

Last year, an illegal immigrant from Lebanon working as an Uber driver in Texas was arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman who was a passenger in his vehicle, according to FOX 26.

The Uber logo is displayed on a car on March 22, 2019, in San Francisco, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The victim reportedly said she fell asleep in Sameh Mohamad Chami’s vehicle and woke up in the front seat as the car was parked, with her shorts unbuttoned. She told police she remembers Chami allegedly putting his hand down her pants. 

Chami was arrested by local authorities on Aug. 6, 2025, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) later lodged an arrest detainer against him. 

Uber is reportedly vowing to change its policies regarding background checks for drivers.  (iStock)

In 2021, a Florida Uber driver with a lengthy criminal history was arrested after he allegedly raped a 21-year-old woman who caught a ride in his vehicle after a night out with friends. 

In light of the growing public concern regarding passenger safety, Uber is planning to change their policies to ban individuals convicted of violent felonies, child or elder abuse and endangerment, and sexual offenses from driving for the company – regardless of when the crimes occurred, according to the Times. 

Additionally, the company is reportedly changing its policies surrounding a seven-year cutoff regarding previous charges of less-serious crimes, such as harassment or weapons charges. 

The company has not provided a timeline of when the changes are expected to go into effect.

“Safety isn’t static, and our approach isn’t, either,” an Uber spokesman said in a statement to the Times. “We listen, we learn, we speak with experts and we evolve as the world changes. We believe that’s the hallmark of a healthy, effective safety culture.” 

Uber did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.