Uber drivers are not employees, they’re independent contractors. So are most cabbies.
Technically you are correct. Not an employee, but still Uber hired the independent contractors.
We are all independent contractors as you state. However that does not mean we taxi drivers are not vetted. To drive a cab in San Francisco you need the FBI live scan full palm handprints and backgrounds check. Also drug tested every year. Also routine continual DMV checks. Uber and similar do not do these thIngs.