Uber simply introduced the enlargement of security options directed towards drivers, together with a nationwide rollout of enhanced rider verification, which begins tomorrow. If a rider undergoes these extra verification steps they’ll get a “Verified” badge on their account, which is able to let drivers know all the pieces is on the up and up.
The corporate says it designed these new verification measures “in response to driver suggestions that they need to know extra about who’s getting of their automobile.” The corporate started testing this function earlier this 12 months and it will need to have been successful, because it’s getting a nationwide rollout. Lyft has its personal model of this instrument, although it is still being tested in select markets.
Uber verifies riders by cross-checking account data in opposition to third-party databases, although it’ll additionally settle for official authorities IDs. This system may even permit customers to usher in their verification standing from the CLEAR program.
Whereas rider ID is essentially the most notable security instrument introduced, Uber’s additionally bringing its Document My Experience function to the entire nation after another successful beta test. This lets drivers document everything of the trip through their smartphone cameras, with out the necessity to spend money on a dashcam. The footage is totally encrypted, with Uber saying no one can entry it except a driver sends it in for evaluation. The corporate hopes this can permit it to “extra rapidly and pretty resolve any incidents that will come up.”
Drivers can now cancel any journey and not using a monetary penalty and so they can “unmatch” from any riders they do not really feel comfy selecting up. Lastly, there’s a brand new PIN verification function through which drivers can request riders to enter a quantity to substantiate they’re, in truth, the right visitor.
Uber tends to focus its resources on riders over drivers, so it is a good change of tempo. It’s form of a bummer, nevertheless, that drivers require this type of enhanced verification system simply to root out some unhealthy apples and hold doing their jobs. In different phrases, don’t be a jerk throughout your subsequent Uber trip.
Correction, September 17 2024, 10:45AM ET: This story and its headline initially said that Uber’s rider verification program was rolling out nationwide as of in the present day. The rollout begins tomorrow, September 18. We apologize for the error.
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