Uber’s Driver Screening to Tighten After Alleged Rape in Delhi

Uber is planning to tighten the driver screening in its ride service after a scandal emerged over an alleged rape last week by a New Delhi driver.

Uber’s service is already banned in many places including in Delhi. Uber states that they are evaluating a better screening process for their drivers to include a background check, to make sure the issue will no repeat itself.

India’s minister Rajnath Singh stated this week that the ministry he belongs has advised that web-based taxi operators be banned unless they are registered with the local administrations. According to reports, Uber has been banned in some states.

On Thursday, the company stated that services in New Delhi will be suspended during the time its operations are being reviewed, but did not make any comment about the ban itself.

The New Delhi police is currently investigating whether or not Uber was acting negligent when it made the background check of the driver, stated deputy police commissioner Madhur Verma this week. The driver was found to be a repeat offender.

The car that the female passenger was riding in did not contain a GPS system and the person who was driving the car turned off his phone, which contained a GPS, in order to avoid being detected after he committed the crime, according to officials.

Uber did not comment on the ban or the police investigation in their recent prepared statement. What the company did say was that they were very saddened and sorry about the incident that had happened in New Delhi.

The Investigation became very complicated regarding the company when a customer claimed she had become concerned about the same driver earlier in November because he was smiling and staring at her. Uber promised her, they were going to look into it.

In reference to the charges made, Uber stated a full audit was being conducted of its support processes, rider feedback and verification information.

Uber assured they were doing all they possibly could to make the rider feedback more reliable in order to take action in for each incident.