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Sex, flirting, and everything else that will get you banned from Uber

Published Dec 8th, 2016 11:21AM EST
uber rules
Image: jean_koulev

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When you spend your days carting random strangers from place to place in the back seat of your personal vehicle, you expect a certain degree of chaos to unfold every now and again. Still, there are some things Uber drivers just can’t tolerate, and for a long while those things were mostly unspoken rules. Now, Uber is actually putting them in writing, with a newly updated Community Guidelines section that lays out all the things you can get banned for.

Most of the list is fairly straightforward, and things like “safety first” and “children must be supervised” are painfully obvious rules that everyone should expect. Further down on the list, Uber gets a bit more serious, and offers a rundown of things that can get you completely banned from every using the service again.

Here’s the list, straight from Uber:

  • Damaging drivers’ or other passengers’ property. For example, damaging the car, breaking or vandalizing a phone, intentionally spilling food or drink, smoking, or vomiting due to excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Physical contact with the driver or fellow riders. As our community guidelines make clear, you shouldn’t touch or flirt with other people in the car. As a reminder, Uber has a no sex rule. That’s no sexual conduct with drivers or fellow riders, no matter what. And you should never hit or otherwise hurt a driver or fellow passenger.
  • Use of inappropriate and abusive language or gestures. For example, asking overly personal questions, using verbal threats, and making comments or gestures that are aggressive, sexual, discriminatory, or disrespectful.
  • Unwanted contact with the driver or fellow passenger after the trip is over. For example, texting, calling, or visiting someone in person after a ride has been completed. Remember, in most countries you can call and text your driver directly from the Uber app without ever having to share your personal phone number. This means that your phone number stays anonymous and is never given to the driver.
  • Breaking the local law while using Uber. For example, bringing open containers of alcohol or drugs into the car; traveling in large groups that exceed the number of seat belts in the car; asking drivers to break local traffic laws such as speed limits; or using Uber to commit a crime, including drug and human trafficking or the sexual exploitation of children.

Yeah, it’s some pretty heavy stuff. Assault, stalking, physical and verbal abuse, and human trafficking all make the list. Oh, and then there’s sex, which you definitely shouldn’t have while in an Uber, even if all parties involved are consenting adults.

Sex obviously also goes without saying, but it’s somewhat humorous that Uber even takes the time to mention “flirting with others” as being a ban-worthy offense. Really? Flirting? Is this a 7th grade science class?