Uber launches women-only option across the US

Uber launched its Women Preferences feature nationwide on Monday after female riders and drivers said they wanted more control over how they travel and earn on the platform.

The feature allows women to request trips with female drivers. Riders can either reserve a ride with a woman in advance or set a preference in the app that increases the likelihood of being matched with a female driver. In cities where teen accounts are available, teenagers and their parents can also request women drivers.

The rollout comes as two Uber drivers in California have filed a lawsuit accusing the company of violating state law by potentially giving female drivers access to a larger pool of passengers. According to the Associated Press, Uber has asked the court to halt the litigation and move the case to private arbitration, citing agreements drivers sign when they join the platform.

In its legal filing, Uber argued that the feature does not violate California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination by businesses. The company said the program supports an important public policy goal by helping improve safety for women on the platform.

Uber is not the only ride-hailing company facing legal scrutiny over gender-based matching. Lyft is also dealing with a discrimination lawsuit over a feature introduced in 2024 that allows riders and drivers to prioritize matches with women and nonbinary users.

The issue of safety on ride-hailing platforms has remained under intense scrutiny. Last month, a U.S. court ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a woman who said she was raped by a driver using the platform—a ruling that could affect thousands of similar cases filed against the company. Uber has argued that it should not be held responsible for criminal acts committed by drivers, who are classified as independent contractors and undergo background checks as part of the company’s vetting process. The company said it plans to appeal the decision.

Uber noted that versions of its women-matching feature already exist for drivers in more than 40 countries and for riders in seven countries, including Spain, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia.