The suit, filed Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court, alleges the U.S. ride-hailing firm failed to implement technology to protect its passengers and inadequately responded to in-app reports of sexual abuse and harassment. The women allege Lyft drivers assaulted them between 2018 and 2019. In a statement, Lyft said it is “committed to providing safe transportation,” saying the allegations were “terrifying” and had “no place in the Lyft community.” (CNBC)

Talking point: Lyft—which has branded itself as being a safer, more socially aware alternative to Uber—has been slower than its competition in developing certain safety measures. In April, Lyft said it will require continuous, rather than just annual, criminal background checks of drivers. Uber began that process in July 2018. In May, Lyft said all users will get access to an emergency 911 button in the coming weeks; Uber launched a similar feature in 2018. A CNN investigation from 2018 found that 18 Lyft drivers and 103 Uber drivers had reportedly sexually assaulted their passengers over the previous four years.