Uber might be increasing its rider verification program throughout the US beginning Sept. 18. That growth is necessary as a result of, in case you have not heard, being a driver for the ride-sharing platform might be harmful.
There have been a number of situations the place an Uber driver has been put in harm’s way or outright scammed. In response, the corporate started testing a extra sturdy verification characteristic as a part of a brand new push to guard each events in a journey.
Additionally: Uber just unveiled a shuttle service and 4 other ways to save you money
Here is how the characteristic will work. The company will cross-check the data in a rider’s account “in opposition to trusted third-party databases”. If a buyer prefers, they will add a picture of a government-issued ID, passport, or different official documentation to the app. Assuming the whole lot goes nicely, customers will obtain a verified badge, full with a blue checkmark on their account.
Uber states it’s taking this motion to “deter fraudulent conduct” and provides everybody concerned peace of thoughts. The company wants to give drivers the “confidence that they are not being scammed or focused”.
The rider verification program is non-obligatory. Nonetheless, unverified individuals could expertise “longer ETAs and pickup occasions,” Uber stated.
Additionally: iPhone 16 better thwarts hackers who use the camera or microphone to spy on you
Alongside this system, Uber is including a number of security options to its app.
First up, File My Journey is rolling out nationwide. This characteristic permits drivers to make use of “the digicam on their smartphone to document video and audio throughout journeys.” Each recording is “encrypted and saved” on a cell gadget’s storage drive, and nobody can have a look at the footage until the motive force sends it to Uber for assessment, the corporate stated.
Subsequent, drivers are gaining the choice to activate PIN verification to allow them to verify the individual they’re selecting up is appropriate. Prospects might also obtain warnings if a driver studies them for doubtlessly “impolite or inappropriate conduct”. Uber can also be testing a characteristic that enables drivers to dam riders who fee a “journey two or three stars”.
Additionally: Want to access OpenAI’s new o1 model? You have two options
Uber’s rival Lyft has its personal rider verification program, though this characteristic continues to be in its early phases.
