A Delhi-based lawyer exposed a disturbing case of digital harassment after an Uber auto driver sent unsolicited, inappropriate text messages following a ride booking.
Tanya Sharma, an Intellectual Property Rights lawyer, shared a shocking experience that began shortly after booking an Uber ride. “We live in the 21st century, and yet things are still so pathetic and traumatic for people on a daily basis,” she wrote on LinkedIn, emphasizing the incident occurred in one of Delhi’s “poshest areas.”
Within minutes of booking, the driver sent a disturbing message: “Jaldi ao babu yrr.Man ho raha hai.” Sharma immediately canceled the booking and filed a complaint, criticizing Uber’s initial response as inadequate.
“Uber’s process is to send a sympathetic message to the aggrieved and forget about it… is this how it works?” she challenged. Sharma pressed further, questioning the company’s 48-hour investigation policy: “What if this same thing happened to other women during these so-called 48 hours of your policy? Are you prepared to take responsibility for my safety and the safety of other women out there?”
The public outcry led to swift action. Uber ultimately banned the driver from its platform, a move Sharma acknowledged in a follow-up post. “Thanks to everyone who supported and shared their experiences,” she wrote, adding a crucial message: “Please escalate such matters with seriousness and, more importantly, let others be aware.”
