At Uber, for example, when a driver's average rating slips below a certain point, he is summoned to HQ for something called a “quality session”, which it is impossible not to hear as a euphemism.

When you give an Uber driver a low rating (typically 1 to 3 stars), several things happen behind the scenes. First, if you rate a driver 3 stars or lower, some regions' algorithms will ensure that you are never paired with that driver again. Second, the driver's overall average rating will drop; because Uber maintains high standards, a driver whose average falls below a certain threshold (often around 4.6 or 4.7 stars) risks being deactivated or "fired" from the platform permanently. When you leave a bad rating, Uber often prompts you to provide specific feedback, such as "navigation," "cleanliness," or "driving safety." This feedback is shared with the driver anonymously to help them improve, though they won't see exactly which rider left the comment. If the rating is tied to a serious safety violation, Uber’s safety team may open an investigation. It is a powerful tool, so passengers are encouraged to use it fairly—reserving 1-star ratings for truly poor or dangerous experiences rather than minor traffic delays beyond the driver's control.