Uber to allow sexual assault and harassment victims to sue company

Ride-hailing service previously forced those making allegations to go to private arbitration

Uber will stop forcing women who say they were sexually assaulted by drivers to resolve claims in secret outside of court, ending a controversial practice that critics said silenced victims.

Under a new policy announced on Tuesday, Uber said it would allow US riders and drivers to file allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment in courts and mediation instead of being locked into arbitration, a private process that often results in confidentiality agreements.