"If You Encounter Racism With Uber, Report It ... And Nothing Will be Done

"What happened isn't just an unpleasant moment. It's a reminder of why speaking up matters. And discrimination must be met with accountability, not silence."

"So I asked why [her Uber driver ordered her to vacate the vehicle] and the driver told me that they do not drive Jewish people."

"A serious incident involving hate should trigger immediate action within 24 hours. Anything less allows prejudice to just go unchecked. Basically, it took them [Uber] four days to get back to me. I want to be clear that what happened is about far more than an uncomfortable ride home or a refunded fare. The incident experienced was a direct act of antisemitism, and the reason I'm speaking about it is because moments like this must be confronted openly."

Miriam Matova, Toronto Jewish-Slovakian-Canadian former Miss Slovakia 

Miriam Mattova attends the Yorkville Jewish Center Appreciation Gala on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Miriam Mattova) 

Citing the privacy rights of the driver, Uber refused to explain to the complainant what kind of 'appropriate' action would be taken in view of the seriousness of an open act of  contemptible antisemitism. "Discrimination is unacceptable, and we're deeply sorry for the experience this rider had. Everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and respected when using Uber. We've contacted the rider directly and taken appropriate action on the driver", was their response when questioned.  

"The scourge of antisemitism has to be confronted by courageous individuals such as Miriam who are prepared to vigorously fight back."

"I am demanding of Uber that it terminate its relationship with this driver and ensures that all of its drivers commit and adhere to principles of non-discrimination."

"Unfortunately, as we permit demonstrations to take over our streets, often focused on Jewish neighbourhoods replete with criminal hate speech, terrorizing the Jewish community, antisemitism is increasingly normalized allowing residents, such as this driver, to believe that such conduct will be tolerated." 

Ms. Matova's legal representative Howard Levitt  

In Canada, governments at all levels, while repeating endlessly that antisemitism is despicable and will not be tolerated, in actual fact do tolerate it by an utter lack of response, allowing the proliferation of  continual public displays of hate speech, threats against the Jewish community in Canada, and ignoring even criminal acts of advocating for the destruction of Israel while flags of Palestinian terrorist groups, outlawed as terrorist groups in Canada are flown at 'pro-Palestinian' demonstrations, many of which are permitted to take place in specifically Jewish neighbourhoods in Toronto.

 

If Canadian citizens of Jewish descent are hounded, assaulted, vilified, recipients of death threats and no authority acts other than to mouth phrases of condemnation  -- while mouthing the same old positions that Canada deplores antisemitism and 'Islamophobia' (expressions from the Liberal government in very particular link the two, although it is the latter that denigrates and threatens the former) and law enforcement tends to protect the 'free speech' rights of Palestinian organizers while Jews are left to their own protective devices after being chided that their counter-presence at hateful organized protests is 'provocative' -- this represents complete abandonment.

 

Miriam Mattova visits a memorial at the Nova music festival site in November 2025. (Miriam Mattova) 

Synagogues, Jewish parochial schools, community centers and Jewish events must hire security guards and take steps to build protective barriers in a country they have called home for centuries. And a car service for the Jewish community, called Jew Ride, must come to the rescue of Jews seeking passage to various destinations in safety. Vadim Danilov founded Jew Ride. An immigrant from Israel several years ago, he worked as a driver for Uber and heard from his Jewish passengers how vulnerable they felt having to hide their Jewishness when seeking a ride. 

 

Vadim Danilov decided to start is own car service after hearing stories of passengers having to hide their Jewish identity while using ridesharing services. Photo by Vadim Danilov

 

Following a series of additional incidents when Jews were informed that the ride-hailing service was for the general public, with the exclusion of Jews, Mr. Danilov decided to take matters into his own hands with the establishment of a ride service that would guarantee security and peace of mind for Jews. One woman told him she had been ordered out of a vehicle and left on the street in the middle of the night to find her way home on her own.  

"This is what made me start this company in March. It's to help passengers from the community and provide them with the safe, private transportation service anywhere in the greater Toronto area."

"My passengers today say they feel safe when I pick them up and they also say ... antisemitism in Canada, it's getting worse and worse." 

Vadim Danilov, founder, Jew Ride 

 

  

Uber Web Page ... unimpressive ...

If you encountered racism during your experience with Uber, please report it to us. Your honest feedback helps ensure that everyone who uses our platform is accountable for their behavior. Thank you for choosing to help make Uber a safe and welcoming community.

• Reporting for riders

  1. Click on the Help menu.
  2. Select Help with a trip.
  3. Choose the trip that you wish to report.
  4. Select Report Safety Issue.
  5. Select I was discriminated against by my driver.
  6. Provide a detailed explanation of your experience and tap Submit when you’re ready to submit your report.
  7. You can also submit a report through help.uber.com and through the Safety Toolkit in your app.

•