Uber is expanding its “Women Preferences” feature nationwide, allowing riders and drivers to request trips with other women. The rollout, which began Monday, aims to address safety concerns within the ride-hailing platform, but it’s already facing legal challenges alleging discrimination. The expansion comes after a successful pilot program and reflects a broader effort by Uber and its competitor, Lyft, to enhance rider and driver safety, though their approaches are sparking debate.
The feature offers several options for users. Women riders can request a female driver through the app, with the ability to opt for another ride if wait times are too long or to pre-schedule a trip with a woman driver. Users can too set a preference for female drivers in their app settings, increasing the likelihood of being matched with one, though it doesn’t guarantee it. Uber is also extending the option to teen account holders. Drivers can similarly indicate a preference for female riders and can toggle this setting on or off at any time.
Despite the company’s intentions, the rollout isn’t without controversy. Uber is currently facing a class action lawsuit in California, filed by drivers who argue the “Women Preferences” feature violates the state’s Unruh Act, which prohibits sex discrimination by businesses. Lyft is also embroiled in a similar lawsuit regarding its “Women+Connect” feature, launched nationwide in 2024.
The core of the legal argument centers on the potential for unequal access to ride requests. The lawsuit alleges that the feature gives female drivers access to the entire passenger pool, while limiting male drivers to a smaller segment, potentially impacting their earnings. Plaintiffs also contend that the policy reinforces harmful gender stereotypes, suggesting men pose a greater safety risk than women. Uber has filed a motion to compel arbitration, citing agreements drivers signed upon joining the app, and maintains the feature serves a legitimate public safety interest.
Uber first piloted the “Women Preferences” feature in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Detroit last summer, expanding to 26 U.S. Cities in November. The concept isn’t fresh. Uber initially launched a similar feature in Saudi Arabia in 2019, following the country’s decision to grant women the right to drive. The company now offers comparable options in 40 countries, including Canada and Mexico.
Safety Concerns and Collaborative Efforts
Both Uber and Lyft have faced sustained criticism regarding safety, with thousands of reported incidents of sexual assault involving both passengers and drivers. In February, a federal jury found Uber legally responsible in a 2023 sexual assault case, ordering the company to pay $8.5 million to an Arizona woman who alleged she was raped by a driver. Uber maintains its position that, as drivers are classified as independent contractors, the company isn’t liable for their misconduct.
Although, both companies have taken steps to improve safety, including a joint effort in 2021 to create a database of drivers previously ousted from their services due to complaints of sexual assault and other crimes. Uber reports a decrease in reported sexual assault incidents, citing 5,981 incidents between 2017 and 2018, compared to 2,717 between 2021 and 2022 – representing 0.0001% of total trips nationwide during the latter period.
Driver Representation and Legal Battles
The rollout of the “Women Preferences” feature also occurs alongside ongoing efforts to establish driver representation. In California, a new law signed in October 2025 allows over 800,000 ride-hailing drivers to unionize and bargain collectively for better wages and benefits. This legislation represents a significant compromise between labor unions and tech companies, and California is now the second state, following Massachusetts, where Uber and Lyft drivers can unionize as independent contractors.
Approximately one-fifth of Uber drivers in the U.S. Are women, though this ratio varies by city, according to the company. The legal battles surrounding the “Women Preferences” feature will likely shape the future of these initiatives and the broader conversation around safety and equity within the ride-hailing industry.
As the legal challenges unfold and the feature expands, the impact on both riders and drivers remains to be seen. The outcome of the California and Lyft lawsuits will likely set a precedent for similar policies nationwide, influencing how ride-hailing companies balance safety concerns with potential claims of discrimination. The ongoing debate highlights the complex challenges of navigating safety, equity, and labor rights in the evolving gig economy.
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