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submitted 2 years ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

Lyft is introducing a new feature that lets women and non-binary riders choose a preference to match with drivers of the same gender.

The ride-hailing company said it was a “highly requested feature” in a blog post Tuesday, saying the new feature allows women and non-binary people to “feel that much more confident” in using Lyft and also hopefully encourage more women to sign up to be drivers to access its “flexible earning opportunities.”

The service, called “Women+ Connect,” is rolling out in the coming months. Riders can turn on the option in the Lyft app, however the company warns that it’s not a guarantee that they’ll be matched with a women or non-binary person if one of those people aren’t nearby. Both the riders and drivers will need to opt-in to the feature for it work and riders must chose a gender for it to work.

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[-] TenderfootGungi@lemmy.world 64 points 2 years ago

What would stop me, a man, from claiming this status and requesting female drivers? While this policy was undoubtably made with good intentions, it is ripe for abuse.

[-] Drivebyhaiku@lemmy.world 26 points 2 years ago

Technically nothing. There is no gatekeeping in being non-binary along the lines of presentation. But you claiming this as a passenger does not effect the other passengers who are made to feel safer by the adoption of this option. A fair number of female drivers in the service are also still likely to drive for male clients regularly anyway.

However if all drivers have protections for drivers to shut down abuses by scummy clients who use the opportunity of a temporarily captive audience to be disgusting towards drivers then this overall becomes less of a concern.

Almost all forms of accommodation leave certain paths open for abuse by bad actors. Erring on the side of the person who needs additional help participating in society is usually the more ethical choice because while a bad actor can be a pain there's usually already laws on the books or policies that can be enacted that allow you to deal with one. For the person seeking accommodation the cost of not having access can mean the world becomes a smaller and/or more dangerous place because of reasons that have nothing to do with them. In some ways that can emotionally be looked at as "letting the assholes win".

[-] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago

Well you see, most people aren't assholes.

[-] moog@lemm.ee 29 points 2 years ago

assholes are the only reason this feature exists

[-] darkevilmac@lemmy.zip 20 points 2 years ago

Yes but the assholes are the ones that tend to take advantage of things like this.

[-] loutr@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 years ago

A looot of rules only exist because of a couple assholes ruining it for everybody.

[-] jedi_hamster@lemmy.world -2 points 2 years ago
[-] yata@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago

Not at all, you just notice the assholes much easier than non-assholes.

[-] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

It sounds like you need better friends.

Or there's that old saying, if everywhere you go smells like shit, check your shoes.

[-] elax102@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

In that scenario, I would guess when the driver sees you they wouldn't let you in the car.

[-] moog@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago

that would work for women but enbies can look like anyone

[-] Dontfearthereaper123@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago

What abt trans women too actually. U couldn't discriminate against a trans person just because they don't pass.

[-] huginn@feddit.it 2 points 2 years ago

Drivers tend not to be the ones sexually assaulted.

[-] knobbysideup@lemm.ee 0 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

How is a man asking for a woman driver abuse? Maybe I really fucking hate having to ride with dudebro cabbies and having to humor them with their inane conversations and would prefer a woman driver.

[-] johnyrocket@feddit.ch 4 points 2 years ago

If the man proceeds to abuse the woman I would say we have a problem.

[-] AnonTwo@kbin.social -3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Wouldn't that make you extra liable for getting sued, because on top of whatever the driver claims you did, you also specifically chose the option you shouldn't have chosen?

Like it's basically adding an extra layer of "This guy was clearly a bad actor"

this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2023
289 points (88.7% liked)

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