Justice Department Files Suit Accusing Uber of Disability-Based Discrimination

📅 Published: 9/11/2025
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 9:20:35 PM
📊 15 updates
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📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc., accusing the ride-hailing giant of discriminating against people with physical disabilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint, lodged in federal court in Northern California, alleges that Uber and its drivers routinely refuse service to riders with disabilities, including those traveling with service animals or using stowable wheelchairs. Additionally, the DOJ claims that Uber imposes extra fees on passengers requiring special accommodations, such as cancellation fees when service is denied, which constitutes unlawful discrimination[1][3].

The lawsuit highlights that Uber’s policies and practices de...

The lawsuit highlights that Uber’s policies and practices deny people with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of its services. The DOJ’s civil rights division argues that Uber has failed to reasonably modify its policies to prevent discrimination, resulting in significant economic, emotional, and physical harm to disabled individuals. This suit builds on previous legal actions against Uber, including a 2021 DOJ lawsuit over overcharging disabled riders, which was settled in 2022 with Uber paying millions to more than 65,000 affected users[1].

Importantly, the current case challenges Uber’s wait time fe...

Importantly, the current case challenges Uber’s wait time fee structure, which penalizes passengers who need more than the standard two-minute window to enter a vehicle due to their disabilities. Unlike prior lawsuits focusing on individual driver conduct, this complaint targets Uber’s company-wide policies, strengthening the DOJ’s position that Uber must comply with ADA Title III as a transportation service provider—not merely as a technology platform. This distinction is critical, as it may set a legal precedent affirming that Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber are subject to the same disability access requirements as traditional transportation services[2][4].

The DOJ’s legal action is viewed as a significant step towar...

The DOJ’s legal action is viewed as a significant step toward ensuring digital and transportation accessibility for people with disabilities in the modern economy. By holding Uber accountable for discriminatory fee practices and service refusals, the lawsuit sends a powerful message that companies providing essential services must ensure equal access for all individuals, regardless of physical limitations[2].

Uber has not yet publicly responded to the DOJ’s latest alle...

Uber has not yet publicly responded to the DOJ’s latest allegations. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the ride-hailing industry and the broader application of disability rights laws to digital platforms and services[1][3].

🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 7:00:15 PM
Following the Justice Department’s lawsuit accusing Uber of disability-based discrimination, Uber’s stock experienced a notable decline, dropping approximately 3.5% in early trading on September 11, 2025. Market analysts attribute the negative reaction to investor concerns over potential legal liabilities and reputational damage stemming from allegations that Uber and its drivers routinely refused services to riders with disabilities and imposed unlawful fees[1]. This marks renewed scrutiny after Uber’s prior settlement in 2022 over similar discrimination claims.
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 7:10:17 PM
Consumer and public reaction to the Justice Department's lawsuit accusing Uber of disability-based discrimination has been notably critical. Disability advocacy groups and affected riders have expressed frustration, highlighting the "significant economic, emotional, and physical harm" caused by Uber’s policies, such as refusal of service to those with stowable wheelchairs or service animals and discriminatory fees[1]. While Uber maintains a zero-tolerance policy for service denials and insists drivers must comply with accessibility laws, public sentiment, reflected in social media and protests, remains largely negative due to repeated incidents and prior settlements involving over 65,000 users[1][5].
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 7:20:16 PM
Public reaction to the Justice Department's lawsuit against Uber for disability-based discrimination has been sharply critical, with many disability rights advocates calling the case a long-overdue challenge to systemic mistreatment. Over 65,000 riders were affected by a previous related settlement in 2022, and public protests have accompanied numerous personal lawsuits alleging mistreatment by Uber drivers who refuse service or levy extra fees on passengers with disabilities, including those using service animals or stowable wheelchairs[4][2][1]. Despite this, retail investor sentiment remains neutral, with Uber’s shares slightly up 0.8% following the announcement[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 7:30:16 PM
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the company and its drivers of routinely refusing service to individuals with disabilities, including those traveling with service animals or stowable wheelchairs, and imposing unlawful extra fees such as cancellation charges when accommodations are denied[1][2]. The complaint argues that Uber's policies violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), causing significant economic, emotional, and physical harm, and challenges Uber’s wait time fee structure that penalizes riders needing extra time due to disabilities[1][2]. This lawsuit follows a 2021 DOJ case settled in 2022, where Uber paid millions to over 65,000 affected users for similar discrimination allegations[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 7:40:23 PM
The Justice Department’s lawsuit against Uber for disability-based discrimination has sparked significant public backlash, especially among disability rights advocates and affected riders. Over 65,000 users were part of a prior 2022 settlement when Uber paid millions for similar allegations, and many voices now call for stricter accountability, highlighting the “significant economic, emotional, and physical harm” caused by Uber’s policies and driver refusals[1][4]. Uber’s neutral stock market reaction contrasts with public outrage, as disability groups emphasize the urgent need for Uber to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act and cease discriminatory practices[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 7:50:24 PM
The Justice Department’s lawsuit against Uber has drawn expert attention for targeting Uber’s company-wide policies rather than isolated driver behavior, marking a potential legal precedent that Transportation Network Companies must comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as transportation providers, not just technology platforms. Disability rights advocates highlight the significance of the suit challenging Uber’s wait time fees that penalize riders needing extra time due to disabilities, emphasizing how such policies cause “significant economic, emotional, and physical harm” to disabled individuals. Industry analysts note this builds on Uber’s prior settlement in 2022, which compensated over 65,000 users after a 2021 lawsuit, but assert the current claim underscores systemic issues requiring urgent corporate reform[1][2][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 8:00:23 PM
Following the Justice Department’s announcement of a lawsuit accusing Uber of disability-based discrimination, Uber's shares initially rose but then pared gains to settle only 0.7% higher by early afternoon trading on September 11, 2025[2]. The modest stock movement suggests investor caution amid the renewed legal pressures, despite Uber's public denial of the allegations and claims of policy compliance[2]. This stock behavior reflects market sensitivity to regulatory risk but not a severe sell-off.
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 8:10:23 PM
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a new lawsuit against Uber, alleging the company and its drivers routinely discriminate against people with disabilities, including refusing service to those with service animals or stowable wheelchairs, and imposing unlawful extra fees such as cancellation charges when service is denied[1][2][4]. The DOJ demands an injunction to halt further Americans with Disabilities Act violations, changes to Uber’s policies, monetary damages, and a civil fine, emphasizing that Uber’s policy failures have caused significant economic, emotional, and physical harm to disabled individuals[1][4]. This suit extends prior legal actions, notably a 2021 DOJ lawsuit settled in 2022 after Uber paid millions to over 65,000 affected users, and challenge
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 8:20:23 PM
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Uber on September 11, 2025, accusing the company of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by routinely refusing service to riders with disabilities, including those using stowable wheelchairs or service animals, and imposing unlawful fees such as cancellation charges when service is denied[1][2][4]. The suit challenges Uber's company-wide policies—including its wait time fee structure that penalizes disabled passengers needing more than two minutes to enter vehicles—arguing Uber must comply as a transportation provider under ADA Title III, potentially setting a precedent for Transportation Network Companies[2]. This follows a 2021 lawsuit settled in 2022, where Uber paid millions to over 65,00
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 8:30:23 PM
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Uber on September 11, 2025, accusing the company and its drivers of routinely refusing service to people with physical disabilities, including those traveling with service animals or stowable wheelchairs, and imposing unlawful extra fees such as cancellation and cleaning charges[1][3][4]. The DOJ highlights that Uber’s policies deny disabled riders full and equal access, causing significant economic, emotional, and physical harm, and challenges Uber’s wait time fee structure that penalizes passengers needing more time to board[2]. This suit follows a 2021 lawsuit over similar issues that led to Uber paying millions to more than 65,000 affected users in 2022 and seeks injunctions, polic
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 8:40:28 PM
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a federal lawsuit against Uber alleging systemic violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including routine refusals of service to passengers with disabilities using service animals or foldable wheelchairs and imposing unauthorized surcharges such as cancellation fees on these riders[1][2][4]. The suit specifically challenges Uber’s company-wide wait time fee policies that penalize disabled passengers needing more than two minutes to board, marking a significant legal push to treat Transportation Network Companies as fully subject to ADA Title III requirements, similar to traditional transport providers[2]. The DOJ seeks injunctive relief, policy reforms, and monetary damages, highlighting substantial economic and emotional harm to disabled users from Uber’s failure to reasonably accommodate accessibility needs
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 8:50:27 PM
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the company of systemic disability-based discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including refusing rides to passengers with service animals or foldable wheelchairs and imposing unlawful surcharges such as cancellation fees[1][2][4]. The DOJ seeks injunctive relief to force policy reforms, monetary damages, and civil penalties, marking a significant regulatory escalation that challenges Uber’s company-wide policies and asserts that ride-hailing services must comply with ADA Title III requirements as transportation providers, not just technology platforms[2]. This legal action follows a previous 2021 DOJ lawsuit against Uber that resulted in a 2022 settlement with millions paid to over 65,000 affecte
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 9:00:27 PM
Experts and industry analysts view the Justice Department’s 2025 lawsuit against Uber as a significant escalation, highlighting systemic discrimination against disabled passengers, including refusals to serve those with service animals or foldable wheelchairs and improper surcharges. Legal experts emphasize that this suit challenges Uber’s policies company-wide, not just individual driver behavior, potentially setting a precedent that Transportation Network Companies must comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act, akin to traditional transport services. Industry opinions note that while Uber touts its zero-tolerance discrimination policies, critics argue these measures are insufficient, citing past settlements where Uber paid millions to over 65,000 disabled riders after similar complaints[1][2][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 9:10:31 PM
The Justice Department’s 2025 lawsuit against Uber for disability-based discrimination threatens to reshape the competitive landscape of ride-hailing by challenging Uber’s classification as merely a technology platform rather than a transportation service provider subject to ADA compliance. This legal move targets company-wide policies, such as imposing cancellation fees on disabled riders needing extra boarding time, potentially setting a precedent for stricter regulatory oversight across the industry and pressuring competitors to enhance accessibility measures[2][4]. Previously, Uber settled a 2021 DOJ suit by paying millions to over 65,000 affected users, signaling growing governmental demands for systemic changes in how ride-hailing services accommodate passengers with disabilities[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/11/2025, 9:20:35 PM
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a federal lawsuit against Uber, accusing the company of disability-based discrimination by routinely refusing service to passengers with disabilities, including those traveling with service animals or using stowable wheelchairs, and imposing unlawful extra fees such as cancellation charges[1][2][4]. The complaint also challenges Uber’s wait time fee policy that penalizes disabled riders who require more than two minutes to enter vehicles, marking a legal push to hold Uber accountable as a transportation service provider under the Americans with Disabilities Act[4]. Uber denies the allegations, citing its zero-tolerance policy and recent driver training efforts on service animal accommodations[3].
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