Uber announces stricter background checks for drivers. See what the new restrictions include

(CNN) - Uber announced it would be enacting stricter background checks for its drivers.

The company said it is expanding the list of criminal offenses that permanently disqualify someone from driving in the U.S.

Uber will not allow people with prior convictions for violent felonies, sexual crimes, stalking, or strangulation at any time to be drivers.

The stricter background checks also apply to couriers for Uber’s delivery services.

The changes come after a New York Times investigation published last December that Uber’s policies allowed people with many types of criminal convictions, including violent felonies, to be drivers.

Uber currently faces thousands of lawsuits from passengers who claim they were sexually assaulted during rides.