Ride-sharing app firm Uber has revealed a new facial recognition-based security feature that will check drivers’ identities across the United States.
Advertisement
For the USA -wide rollout, Uber says it’s using Microsoft’s Cognitive Services to help match drivers’ file photos with their real-time selfie.
Uber says some drivers even keep games like a Bop It in their vehicle to entertain intoxicated riders and prevent distractions – but that’s not a requirement.
While Uber didn’t say it would deactivate drivers who used Viewswagen, Uber told Business Insider at the time, “We don’t believe that in-ride advertising enhances the ride experience, and we discourage driver partners from working with third party in-ride advertisers such as Viewswagen”.
On the driver side, Uber says that it’s also a safety measure designed with a driver’s best interests in mind – the company notes that this will prevent driver fraud, by essentially requiring an additional verification measure each time you login. If the selfies match, the driver can start their shift.
Drivers are “periodically” asked to take a selfie in their Uber driver app before being allowed to accept fares, and if the selfie doesn’t match the pic on file, the account is temporarily locked down so Uber can investigate further.
While it may not be a big problem, issues aren’t unheard of.
Like many companies, Uber is seeking ways to allay consumer fears about privacy and safety concerns and this is just the latest effort in that battle. Uber is using a feature called Real-Time ID Check from Microsoft’s Cognitive Services.
Advertisement
Uber says it is also using Global Positioning System technology to detect unsafe driving, among other safety and security initiatives.
