Uber, one of the most popular taxi app in the world, has announced a new verification system for it riders. This Uber verification badge for riders works in the sense that once the rider is verified, drivers would be able to see "verified" badges on the riders’ profiles when they book a ride.
This new Uber’s riders verification system is an innovative aimed at providing better safety for both drivers and riders. Particularly, it helps drivers to know more information about who is getting in their cars.
In addition to the riders’ verified badge Uber is launching, the taxi app will also allow drivers to record (both video and audio at a time) trips on their smartphones instead of a dashcam.
Meanwhile, note that all recordings will be encrypted and stored on the drivers' devices, and cannot be accessed by them or Uber unless they send it to the company for review.
Also, recall that in April this year, Uber rolled out similar feature that allows female passengers to record audio during their trips to document any uncomfortable or unsafe situations. Now, an advance (recording both video and audio) one is going to drivers.
All these developments are part of Uber's efforts to enhance driver safety following concerns raised in their 2021-22 safety report.
According to report, 31% of s*xu*l assault incidents were reported by drivers against riders, while 68% were reported against drivers. This highlights a significant safety concern for both drivers and passengers.
Related: Bolt launches Rider Verification.
As part of the measures to curb these acts, Uber has introduced a new safety measures aimed at protecting drivers, because a majority of the incidents were reported against them.
These changes are expected to create a safer environment for drivers while addressing the broader safety issues within the ride-hailing industry.
Start today Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Uber riders in the United States will have their account information checked with third-party databases or have the option to upload their ID directly from the taxi app.
However, once verified, they will receive a blue “Verified” rider badge, similar to the ones that have long been common on social media platforms like X. Uber drivers in the U.S. will be able to see when a rider has undergone additional verification steps with a "Verified" rider badge visible during a trip request.
It’s important to understand that despite riders or drivers being verified doesn’t guarantee their identity or their good behavior. The blue verification badge “can help us build trust and accountability on our platform,” Uber said in it FAQ section where the company explains in detail how the process works.
According to Uber, the newly introduced verified rider badge for riders is aimed at building off of current verification processes, helping deter fraudulent behavior, and for the purpose of adding another layer of trust, safety, and peace of mind for drivers and all the taxi app users.
Blocking and Un-matching Rude Riders
Uber comes with full support for drivers this time. The ride-hailing company is also giving drivers the ability to “block and un-match with rude drivers” and ones that give them one star.
This feature will allow drivers to block a rider if he/she rate the trip 2 or 3 stars. This expands on the company's current policy, which automatically un-matches drivers and riders when a driver rates a trip 1 star.
This system is aimed at targeting riders’ behaviors and giving drivers more control over whom drivers serve, helping them to prevent uncomfortable or unsafe situations from recurring. Once driver report a rider as rude, the rider will be sent a warning message.
However, recall that in earlier this year, Uber rolled out a pilot program in selected cities. This pilot program was for the purpose of improving the safety and reliability of the taxi app service.
As majority of riders were verified in the cites, meaning their identities have been confirmed, the company said the taxi app received fewer complaints about these riders from drivers.
In addition to the pilot program, Uber also took steps to enhance account authenticity by blocking around 15,000 rider accounts that used fake names.
Also in April this year, Uber introduced several new in-app safety features specifically designed for female riders. These safety features include:
- Audio recording: This safety feature allows female passengers to record audio during their trips to document any uncomfortable or unsafe situations.
- Pin-verification: Female passengers can verify their ride by entering a unique PIN to ensure they are getting into the correct Uber vehicle.
- RideCheck: This safety feature detects potential safety issues by helping female riders to alerts Uber if a ride ends prematurely, stops unexpectedly, or veers off its route.
These updates come in response to long-standing criticism of how Uber has addressed assault and safety concerns.
Additionally, Uber announced two significant developments to begin early next year: it will launch driverless ride-sharing in Austin and Atlanta, and riders will also have the option to rent cars directly through Uber’s app. Both moves highlight Uber's ongoing efforts to innovate and expand its services.
