A lawsuit filed by 19 women accuses Lyft of an inadequate response to incidents of sexual harassment, abuse, and rape by its drivers, raising concerns about the company's safety protocols and ethical responsibility in protecting vulnerable riders.

Lyft disclosed $190,000 in lobbying expenditures for Q1 2025, targeting issues ranging from rideshare safety and road safety to labor classification and portable benefits. This direct political spending exemplifies corporate engagement in influencing policy, which may favor company interests over labor rights and public welfare.

Lyft made a record donation of $14.4 million to a committee supporting ballot petitions in Massachusetts aimed at preserving independent contractor status for drivers and deliverers. This political contribution is seen as a move that potentially undermines labor rights and supports policies favoring the gig economy over standard employment protections.

In Massachusetts, thousands of Lyft (and Uber) drivers, backed by unions and supported by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, have pushed forward a ballot initiative to secure union rights and better working conditions. The initiative follows a key settlement that established baseline standards on wages, benefits, and safety, marking a significant win for gig workers against exploitative practices.

California's Labor Commissioner has filed wage theft lawsuits against Uber and Lyft for allegedly misclassifying drivers as independent contractors, thereby depriving them of basic labor rights and fair wages.

An OpenSecrets report reveals that during the 2023-2024 election cycle, large individual contributions were made to the Lyft Inc PAC. The report also notes that public relations firms, which have engaged former White House and Congressional staffers, are involved in lobbying efforts on behalf of Lyft. This activity raises concerns about the company’s potential to influence political outcomes through corporate political spending.

A Guardian article reported that many Lyft drivers have complained about arbitrary account deactivations, low pay, and a lack of transparency, with systemic issues affecting marginalized groups. Drivers are calling for unionization and increased regulation to address these labor rights concerns.

A 2018 report revealed that Lyft, along with Uber, aggressively lobbied state legislatures and local governments to pass deregulation laws. These efforts helped secure independent contractor status for drivers, thus exempting the company from providing key labor protections such as unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and minimum wage laws, while also weakening local democratic regulatory authority.