Why Uber Makes Us Uneasy

Violence and robberies occur in cabs, too, but the personal aspect of the sharing economy makes these occurrences even more unsettling when Uber drivers are involved.

learn more about Laura Entis

By Laura Entis

Uber

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The sharing economy has made life more convenient, more seamless and in many cases more social and fun. Ridesharing companies let us hail cars from our smartphones, while room rental startups such as Airbnb let us stay at locals' residences the world over.

Of course, as with anything that involves lots of people, there's a sad and scary element to this equation. Uber drivers have sexually assaulted riders, while riders have viciously beat up drivers. Airbnb hosts have robbed guests, and guests have racked up thousands of dollars in apartment damages.

Over the weekend, the underbelly of humanity at its most tragic and terrifying was, once again, on full display. Saturday evening, Uber driver Jason Brian Dalton allegedly went on a shooting rampage in Kalamazoo, Mich. He killed six people at multiple locations, reportedly picking up riders in between spurts of violence.

Dalton passed Uber's background check, which the company conducts on all its drivers. While the rigorousness and effectiveness of Uber's process has been criticized -- drivers with criminal records, some with felony convictions, have been approved -- in this particular case, it wouldn't have mattered.

Related: Uber Agrees to Settle Safety Lawsuits for $28.5 Million

According to The New York Times, Dalton had no criminal record (neighbors described him as a "family man" who showed no signs of violence), so even added measures such as fingerprint scans or criminal background checks that cover more than just the last seven years would not have barred him from becoming a driver.

For all the press that accompanies an Uber driver or passenger acting violently during a ride, it's unclear if these occurrences or statistically higher than similar occurrences in taxi cabs. As the Atlantic points out, cities don't track assaults by where they happen, which means it's difficult to make a direct comparison between Uber and taxi safety. Our perception is largely shaped by anecdotal evidence.

Although taxi drivers routinely make headlines for violent behavior, the press seems to latch on to similar stories from Uber drivers with an elevated frenzy. But I would argue our collective uneasiness about Uber violence goes beyond the lopsided coverage. In a way that's not true for taxi companies or car services, the personal is baked into the Uber experience. Requesting an Uber connects you with an individual profile, complete with a picture and a customer satisfaction rating. Your driver usually comes to pick you up in his or her own car.

Related: Uber's New Logo Aims to Showcase Its 'Human Side'

As opposed to taxi drivers, who often are on the phone or listening to the radio, Uber drivers are, in my own experience, at least, more likely to ask questions and share details from their own backgrounds. A friend recently received a ride from an Uber driver who pulled up a YouTube video on his phone to illustrate the correct way to make Moroccan green tea, the country he hails from. Such exchanges are not uncommon.

It's this sense expectation of a personal connection that makes violent reports involving Uber drivers all the more unsettling. In between alleged shooting sprees, Dalton picked up riders including a man and his family, reports NBC news.

The rider attempted to chat with Dalton, as one does with Uber drivers. He even mentioned the rash of shootings in the area. "I kind of jokingly said to the driver, "You're not the shooter, are you?'" he told the outlet. To which Dalton reportedly shook his head.

It's an incredibly unsettling story, one that gets at our perpetual fascination and unease every time we hear that another Uber driver -- or, to a lesser extent, rider -- has acted monstrously.

Because unlike hailing a cab, requesting an Uber -- the act of tracking your driver's steady progress towards your own location -- feels personal.

Related: Facebook May Have a Ridesharing Service in the Works

Laura Entis
Laura Entis is a reporter for Fortune.com's Venture section.

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Thought Leaders

The Collapse of Credit Suisse: A Cautionary Tale of Resistance to Hybrid Work

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder for business leaders to adapt to the changing world of work and prioritize their workforce's needs and preferences.

Marketing

Here's One Easy Way to Establish Yourself as a Thought Leader in Your Industry

Learn how guest posting can establish you as a thought leader in your industry, expand your reach, drive value and attract new customers.

Growing a Business

How to Gain a Competitive Edge: 4 Key Questions to Ask When Analyzing Your Competitors

More competitors are trying to scoop up market share, which means that doing a competitive analysis is only the first step to success.

Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business News

Twitter To Begin Removing Legacy Blue Checkmarks Next Week: The End of an Era

Those wishing to keep their blue checkmark must sign up for Twitter Blue, a contentious subscription-based program that users can opt into for $8 a month.