Uber has faced widespread criticism over its handling of sexual assault cases during rideshares. A lengthy investigation by The New York Times reveals that the company made decisions to downplay the severity of the issue and deploy a “steady drumbeat” of safety messages to distract from media coverage.
Court documents, internal communications, and interviews with current and former employees paint a picture of a company that publicly reassured women that driving and riding with Uber was safe while declining to release data on the extent of the problem or implementing features that could reduce assaults.
Some employees expressed concerns over not being fully transparent about its sexual assault issue and working to undermine the credibility of survivors in the news media. One spokesperson wrote an internal message that he “trashed” a victim, sparking public regret from the individual.
The report also highlights internal disagreements over the content of a safety report, with some feeling it downplayed the reality of the situation. Uber released data on only five out of 21 categories of sexual assault and harassment, which was deemed the most severe and least subjective.
In response to criticism, Hannah Nilles, Uber’s head of safety for the Americas, said that withholding information was done to “deter people from choosing ride-sharing” without encouraging them to engage in reckless behavior. However, this stance has been met with skepticism from some, who argue that it is difficult to balance discussing the severity of the problem while reassuring users.
This investigation highlights the challenges public relations professionals face when making decisions about how to address sensitive issues like sexual assault. As Nilles noted, “Know who you are and where you stand,” emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between being transparent and representing clients in a positive light.
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Source: https://www.prdaily.com/pr-staff-at-uber-expressed-regret-ethical-concerns-over-assault-responses