Uber Expands 'Women Preferences' Feature in U.S.

Uber is launching a 'Women Preferences' feature in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, allowing women riders to request women drivers and women drivers to opt to pick up only women riders, aiming to enhance safety and comfort. This pilot follows Uber's initial launch of the feature in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and subsequent expansion to 40 other countries. The new feature increases—but does not guarantee—the likelihood of women being paired together and can be toggled on or off by drivers at any time. The move comes amid thousands of reported sexual assault incidents on the platform, with women disproportionately affected. Uber expects the feature to empower women and potentially attract more women drivers. Lyft, Uber's main U.S. competitor, already offers a similar Women+ Connect option for women and nonbinary users.