Uber is gay

Alright you're probably going to get this at like four am because timezones but whatever. Here are some crude sources that I've pulled together.

Firstly, to address your arguments, firstly that sexual predators are in every sector and secondly that distancing yourself from liability is not immoral.
To address the first point, I'd like to point you to this page which tells you how to become a taxi driver.
http://www.australiantaxiacademy.com.au/become_a_taxi_driver.html
To sum it up, you need to study for a cert 2 (will likely have to pay for it though the victorian gov't subsidise it to an extent), enrol in driver accreditation training, undergo checks on your criminal history, and you will be required to provide evidence of good eyesight and health (certificates from an optometrist and doctor respectively) among other things.
As for Uber, I've checked three seperate sources which all say the same thing: You only need a current license, a car newer than 2006, relevant insurance, and a brief background check of uber's specification. Sources (http://www.ridesharingdriver.com/uber-driver-requirements-qualify/ http://www.thesimpledollar.com/how-to-make-money-driving-for-uber/  https://www.uber.com/driver-jobs). By the way, uber's background checking has been put to doubt (http://www.cnet.com/news/ubers-background-checks-dont-catch-criminals-says-houston/ as much as I hate linking to gawker http://valleywag.gawker.com/uber-driver-heres-how-we-get-around-background-checks-1596982249 http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/Ride-Service-May-Pose-Risk-to-Passengers-256639641.html)

Additionally, our taxis are fitted with infrared cameras, which have been installed in a manner such that it is simple to pick out individual persons and the date + time of an incident (the specifications are available to the public http://www.verifeye.com/articles.php). Taxi drivers are licensed, with the license plainly displayed on the dash including a photo of the driver with a full name and registration of the vehicle. When you get in a taxi, you know exactly who is driving it based on government certification.
Uber obviously has no such safeguards. If you're assaulted by an uber driver, you don't even have the guy's full name, let alone the ability to ask the government to investigate security footage. Uber drivers also have your phone number, which may deter victims.

Does it happen in taxis? Yes it does, but taxis have to answer to government standards which are in place to protect the consumer.

Moving onto liability. Uber itself is classified specifically as a tech company, not a transport company (here they fight the Indian government to keep this classification https://pando.com/2015/02/20/as-uber-fights-to-maintain-its-technology-company-classification-in-india-the-rest-of-the-world-watches/). All drivers are their contractors, and though they are required to be insured to become a driver, no Australian insurance company will insure you (https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/28228915/insurance-doubts-for-uber-drivers/) so you can't take care of yourself.
If there's ever a question as to the actions of an uber driver, uber will simply claim they only make the app.
This lack of accountability goes further. Working for uber, you are not on a wage (they can and have reduced payments to drivers in the past, to the point of prompting outrage and protest from their drivers (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=uber+drivers+protest+low+pay) and you are owed no concessions or benefits, no health care etc. Working for uber is like working casual without the casual loading. It's objectively the shit end of the stick.
And again, the insurance - you're entirely vulnerable as a driver the second you have the app open. Most every registered business in this country has to pay some sort of public liability insurance to cover any damages to the public, and uber has none. An actual taxi company would never get away with this shit.
Actually, there's no fucking way any business in Australia or the world would be allowed to get away with any of it. Uber has gotten as far as it has by literally sidestepping laws and regulations entirely, all the world over.


This is only the tip of the iceberg. How about Uber's shady back room deals? Your original image said that you could measure a country's corruption by how hard they legislate against it - I would argue the opposite, governments that allow a service with as many holes as Uber are definitely corrupt. There has already been strong evidence to implicate uber in backroom lobbying with governments around the world. Since I'm tired I'll only give you the case in Illinois in America.
Illinois proposes legislation which would impose upon and regulate ride-sharing services such as Uber and lyft (February 2014)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/the-7-worst-things-in-chicagos-proposed-uber-ordinance/
Uber starts hard lobbying, hiring many former government officials
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Uber-Chicago-lobby-firms-political-donations-274030871.html
Bill is vetoed by governor Quinn (25 August)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/governor-vetoes-uber-bill/
Governor Quinn announces Uber will open office in Illinois, bringing 425 jobs by 2016 (29 Sep)
http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2014/09/29/its-official-governor-quinn-announces-ubers-chicago-hq-expansion/

More about Uber's backroom dealings (I'll admit I only skimmed these, I have had to pore over much information and don't feel like reading it but I'm sure it's good information)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-06-23/this-is-how-uber-takes-over-a-city
This link includes the Illinois story and more
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/uber-pressures-regulators-by-mobilizing-riders-and-hiring-vast-lobbying-network/2014/12/13/3f4395c6-7f2a-11e4-9f38-95a187e4c1f7_story.html