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New Uber Security Feature Makes Drivers Take Selfies

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Uber Drivers Selfies

Uber drivers will be required to take selfies before beginning their job Source: Ryan Hyde, CC

Selfies will soon become more than a cry for attention posted to social media. These self-taken pictures are going to be a big part in Uber’s newest security measures as the transportation company unveils its Real-Time ID Check feature for its drivers.

The feature uses Microsoft Cognitive Services to keep both drivers and riders safe. Through this feature, drivers are prompted to “share a selfie before going online to help ensure the driver using the app matches the account we have on file.” This new measure is a big step for Uber, which has had a very rocky past when it comes to keeping its riders safe.


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By asking drivers to take a selfie, the transportation giant hopes that this step “prevents fraud and protects drivers’ accounts from being compromised. It also protects riders by building another layer of accountability into the app to ensure the right person is behind the wheel.”

If the selfie doesn’t match the driver’s account, then Uber will temporarily block the account as it investigates why there is this mismatch. The program has already gone through testing, during which “the majority of mismatches were due to unclear profile photos.” This has been fixed, though, allowing the company to assure riders that over 99% of drivers were verified.


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Uber announced that this feature will come to cities across the United States soon, along with a slew of other safety features, including a notification that reminds drivers to take breaks; a reminder to drivers that they should mount their phones on the dashboard rather than hold it in their hands; and a speed display that alerts drivers to their speed.

It looks like Uber is trying to clean up its act. Hopefully, these new features will actually improve the performance and safety of Uber drivers.

News Source: Uber