Uber drivers are growing increasingly frustrated with unfair feedback that could jeopardise their livelihoods, with some calling out what they say is a broken review system that favours passengers regardless of context.
One driver, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted DM News after receiving a troubling notification from Uber following a routine trip. The passenger had left a 2-star review, citing an “unsafe pickup location”—despite the fact that the rider had personally selected the pickup spot in the app.
The driver shared a screenshot of the feedback notification with Driver Matty, a well-known UK-based YouTuber and advocate for rideshare drivers. The message from Uber read:
“Recent Feedback: Unsafe pick up – a rider reported their pick up location felt unsafe. Uber reviews all safety reports that violate our community guidelines. In serious cases your account may be put on hold until our review is complete.”
The incident highlights a growing issue among Uber drivers: being penalised for elements entirely out of their control.
“How is this fair?” the driver asked. “I picked them up exactly where they requested. Now I’m being threatened with account suspension because they decided afterwards it felt ‘unsafe’? That’s on them, not me.”
The concern is not isolated. Across forums and social media, other Uber drivers have shared similar stories—receiving low ratings and warnings for issues such as traffic, road conditions, or the passenger’s own address choice. In an industry where driver ratings directly impact income and account status, the consequences can be severe.
Driver Matty, who has a growing audience on YouTube and TikTok, posted about the incident to raise awareness.
“This kind of feedback system is broken,” Matty said in a recent video. “Drivers are being punished for doing exactly what they’re told. If the pickup spot felt unsafe, why book it there in the first place?”
Uber has yet to comment publicly on this specific case, but the company’s support pages confirm that low ratings and safety reports can lead to driver deactivation, even temporarily.
Rideshare drivers are calling for more accountability and context in how reviews are handled, especially when it comes to “safety” reports that could have lasting effects on a driver’s record.
Until then, drivers like the one who contacted DM News are left feeling vulnerable—not just to the road, but to the ratings that come after.
