We’ve heard some horror stories in the past about Uber drivers dealing with no good, very bad, and otherwise terrible riders, but now we know exactly what kinds of awful behavior will get riders banned from the platform forever.
Uber updated its community guidelines on Thursday to include a list of actions that will result in riders losing access to the service. The company says these are “some” of the reasons, as there are always folks out there who will come up with new ways to make life difficult for others.
“Courtesy matters,” Uber says. “That’s why you are expected to exercise good judgment and behave decently towards other people in the car when riding with Uber — just as you would in any public place.”
Here are the actions that will get you the boot:
• Damaging drivers’ or other passengers’ property: Damaging the car, breaking or vandalizing a driver’s phone, intentionally spilling food or drink, smoking, or vomiting due to excessive alcohol consumption.
• Physical contact with the driver or fellow riders: Uber notes that its community guidelines already make it clear that you should not be touching or flirting with other people while you’re in the car. Uber has a strict “no sex rule” as well, which means no sexual conduct with drivers or fellow riders, no matter what. Hitting or otherwise hurting a driver or fellow passenger is also a big no-no.
• Use of inappropriate and abusive language or gestures: For example, asking overly personal questions, using verbal threats, and making comments or gestures that are aggressive, sexual, discriminatory, or disrespectful.
• Unwanted contact with the driver or fellow passenger after the trip is over: You should not be texting, calling, or visiting someone in person after a ride has been completed.
• Breaking the local law while using Uber: Doing anything illegal while in an Uber car is against the rules. “For example, bringing open containers of alcohol or drugs into the car; traveling in large groups that exceed the number of seat belts in the car; asking drivers to break local traffic laws such as speed limits; or using Uber to commit a crime, including drug and human trafficking or the sexual exploitation of children.”
In addition, you may lose access to Uber if you bring a firearm in the vehicle; discriminate against drivers or other riders based on their race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, gender identity, age or any other characteristic protected under applicable law; or exhibit fraudulent or illegitimate behavior like abusing promotions, colluding with your driver, disputing fares for made-up reasons, or having duplicate accounts.
If Uber finds out a rider has engaged in any of these kinds of problematic behavior, the company will contact the user first to investigate, and may put a hold on the account while it looks into the situation. If it decides the issues raised are serious or a repeat offense, or riders refuse to cooperate, they may lose access to Uber.
“Any behavior involving violence, sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity while using Uber can result in the immediate loss of your account,” the company adds.
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist