First Federal Uber Sexual Assault Trial Update: Internal Messages Reveal Reputation-First Response to Reports

Internal messages introduced in federal court reveal that Uber executives were aware for years of widespread sexual assault allegations involving drivers and discussed strategies focused on limiting reputational damage rather than addressing survivor safety, Courthouse News Service reported.

“In many cases, we can and should squash stories,” Uber’s global safety communications director, Andrew Hasbun, wrote in a 2018 Slack message. “Kill stories when possible and mitigate the impact on our reputation.”

The messages were played Thursday in a Phoenix court room during the first of thousands of federal sexual assault cases against Uber to proceed to trial. Jurors heard a recording of the executive’s deposition, where he addressed communications tied to media investigations into Uber’s safety practices.

“I trashed rape victims to USA Today,” he wrote in reference to a 2019 report revealing that Uber shared survivors’ personal information with third party claims adjusters without their knowledge.

“I used to look after my soul, but I don’t know where it is anymore,” he said in another message.

In additional internal exchanges, the executive complained about managing public fallout while an in house attorney was unavailable. “While the rest of us are peddling lies and cleaning up their mess,” he wrote.

During his deposition, the executive characterized the messages as a poor choice of words, stating that references to “killing” stories reflected industry language for correcting facts and providing context to reporters. He testified that he believed Uber ultimately does the right thing.

At the time of those messages, Uber was responding to reporting that at least 103 drivers had been accused of sexually assaulting passengers over a four year period. Internal communications acknowledged that the number was higher than what had been publicly disclosed.

In 2019, Uber released its first safety report, revealing 5,981 reports of sexual assault and 464 reports of rape in 2017 and 2018 alone. Thousands of additional cases are now pending in a federal multi district litigation in California, where a group of bellwether trials will help shape how the remaining cases are resolved.

The current trial centers on allegations that a woman was sexually assaulted by her Uber driver in Tempe, Arizona, while she was intoxicated. She alleges the company could have prevented the assault through stronger safety measures, including mandatory in vehicle cameras and more rigorous background checks. Evidence presented in prior testimony indicated the driver was hired without resumes, references, or employment verification, despite earlier passenger complaints.

Uber terminated the driver for violating company policy prohibiting sexual contact with passengers, but the company argues the encounter was consensual.

During opening arguments, Uber’s defense claimed the rider initiated sexual conversation and requested sexual acts, suggesting this demonstrated consent. A clinical psychologist called by the plaintiff rejected that reasoning, testifying that such arguments reflect common myths used to discredit survivors and create confusion around sexual assault.

“We think all sexual assault can’t feel good or can’t be stimulating or the body can’t have a reaction,” the psychologist testified. “See, if I was a real rapist, I wouldn’t care about what you get out of this.”

She explained that creating doubt often causes allegations to be dismissed and noted that physiological responses do not equal consent. She also testified that offenders may engage in certain acts to facilitate assault rather than for mutual pleasure.

After reviewing thousands of Uber’s internal documents and policies, the expert concluded that the company’s business model and safety practices created conditions that made sexual assault more likely. “These offenders don’t have to work to get victims,” she testified. “They’re matched with them.”

The trial is expected to continue through the end of January.

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