The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the ride-hailing giant of violating federal law by discriminating against passengers with physical disabilities.
In its complaint, filed Thursday in California’s Northern District, the DOJ’s civil rights division alleged that Uber drivers “routinely refuse to serve individuals with disabilities, including those traveling with service animals or using stowable wheelchairs.” The company is also accused of imposing extra charges, such as cancellation fees, on disabled riders when service is denied — practices that violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“Despite the importance of its services to people with disabilities, Uber denies people with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of its services in several critical ways,” DOJ lawyers wrote. They further claimed that Uber’s actions have caused “significant economic, emotional, and physical harm” to disabled individuals.
Uber, however, strongly rejected the allegations. In a statement, the company said it “fundamentally disagrees” with the DOJ’s claims, stressing that it has a “clear zero-tolerance policy for confirmed service denials.” The company said all drivers must comply with accessibility laws and its U.S. Service Animal Policy, and that violations can result in permanent account deactivation.
This is not the first time Uber has faced such legal challenges. In 2021, the DOJ sued the company for overcharging passengers with disabilities, leading to a 2022 settlement where Uber paid millions to more than 65,000 affected riders. The company has also dealt with personal lawsuits and public protests over similar allegations.
The DOJ says it alerted Uber in 2024 about its investigation into discriminatory practices. Following this, Uber rolled out a feature allowing passengers to self-identify when traveling with service animals, though the DOJ argues this does not fully address the violations.
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