Safety and Privacy While Using Uber

An important part of empowering survivors of abuse is helping them to know and understand the options they have available for improving their safety and privacy. Domestic violence advocates play a critical role  in helping survivors merge all of their available options into an individualized, cohesive safety plan that optimizes their privacy and safety. 

When creating a safety plan, transportation options are one of many elements survivors and their advocates need to consider. Ride-sharing apps, like Uber, can be a flexible alternative to taxis, buses, and other forms of transportation for  survivors in need. While app-driven services can provide safety features that are not possible in traditional forms of transportation, these  services can also create unique situations for survivor consideration. Survivors and advocates need to balance these considerations against the unique benefits and safety features these services provide.

To help survivors and advocates evaluate Uber as a transportation option, NNEDV’s Safety Net team partnered with Uber to develop Using Uber: Safety & Privacy Considerations for Survivors. This resource describes a series of safety-related points for survivors to consider before, during, and after using Uber for transportation. From thinking about mobile device security before downloading the Uber app, to thinking about how billing charges might be recorded after an Uber trip, to learning about Uber’s built-in safety features, this resource is intended to help survivors and their advocates evaluate if and when using Uber is a good transportation option for the survivor’s individual situation.