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The parents of a 15-year-old girl have filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies, Inc., Rasier LLC, and an Uber driver, alleging that the ride-hailing company’s negligent policies enabled their daughter to be transported to an alleged predator without sufficient safeguards.
The complaint asserts that Uber’s inadequate identity verification measures and lax enforcement of safety policies put minors at risk, directly contributing to the teenager’s abduction and subsequent victimization.
According to the lawsuit, on November 1, 2024, the minor was picked up by an Uber driver at an isolated gas station. The ride had been ordered by a 23-year-old man, later arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including human trafficking, aggravated child molestation, and statutory rape. The driver, allegedly without verifying the girl’s age or identity, transported her approximately 30 miles to the man’s residence, where she was held for four days before law enforcement intervened.
The lawsuit highlights systemic safety vulnerabilities within Uber’s platform, citing its failure to require passenger identification, inadequate responses to reported concerns, insufficient driver monitoring, and the absence of mandatory human trafficking awareness training for drivers. These deficiencies, the plaintiffs argue, facilitated the exploitation of ride-hailing services for illicit purposes.
“Uber is aware that its platform can be exploited by predators, yet it has chosen not to implement fundamental safety measures such as identity verification,” said Michael L. Neff, counsel for the plaintiffs. He further criticized the company’s support for legislative measures that could limit its legal liability, rather than addressing known trafficking risks.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, aiming to hold Uber accountable for its alleged failure to implement effective safety protocols. The plaintiffs are also advocating for legislative reforms to enhance protections for ride-hailing passengers, particularly minors.
“No parent should have to endure what our family has suffered,” said the girl’s stepfather, Shaun Glaze. “Our daughter survived, but the trauma remains. We hope this lawsuit will push Uber to adopt stricter safeguards and prevent other children from facing similar dangers.”
