Uber has started to continuously monitor its US drivers for new criminal offenses, a move intended to ensure passenger safety and peace of mind.
The company said Friday it is rolling out technology that allows it to know in real time when a driver is charged with a crime. The company said it has removed 25 drivers from the platform since launching the effort earlier this month.
Following a CNN investigation into passenger sexual assault or abuse of passengers from by rideshare drivers, Uber announced in April it will conduct annual background checks and invest in the technology needed to learn about criminal offenses as they happen.
Before announcing the change, Uber lacked a uniform process for revisiting criminal background checks. That meant any criminal allegations against a someone might go unnoticed after they started driving.
CNN’s investigation, published in April, found that more than 100 Uber drivers had been accused of sexually assaulting or abusing passengers in the past four years. The drivers were arrested, are wanted by police, or have been named in civil suits related to the incidents.
