Justice Department sues Uber for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Uber for allegedly discriminating against individuals with physical disabilities, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act [1][2]. Group 1: Allegations Against Uber - The DOJ claims that Uber and its drivers routinely refuse service to individuals with disabilities, including those with service animals or stowable wheelchairs [1]. - Uber is accused of imposing extra fees on riders needing special accommodations, including cancellation fees when service is denied [1]. - The DOJ argues that Uber's actions have caused significant economic, emotional, and physical harm to individuals with disabilities [2]. Group 2: Previous Legal Issues - Uber has faced long-standing accusations of discrimination against people with physical disabilities, including a lawsuit in 2021 for overcharging disabled passengers [4]. - In 2022, Uber reached a settlement with the DOJ, paying millions to over 65,000 affected users [4]. - The company has also been subject to personal lawsuits from passengers alleging similar discrimination and has faced public protests [4]. Group 3: Recent Developments - The DOJ filed the complaint in federal court in California's Northern District and had previously alerted Uber in 2024 about the investigation into its treatment of disabled riders [7]. - Following the notification, Uber introduced a feature allowing passengers to self-identify if they are traveling with service animals [7].