On September 17, Uber announced a number of new safety features to increase protection and security for its drivers and couriers.
These updates are part of Uber’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a safer experience for the more than 7 million drivers and couriers on its platform, the company said in a press release.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said “we’re continuing to invest in new features to help drivers feel safer when driving on Uber."
One of the features from the new launch will be enhanced rider verification nationwide. Drivers in the U.S. will see a new "Verified" rider badge on trip requests, enhancing safety and transparency. This badge indicates that riders have completed additional verification steps, addressing driver feedback for more information about passengers. Riders can verify their identity through third-party databases or by uploading a government-issued ID.
Additionally, drivers will be able to report rude or inappropriate behavior from riders. When such a report is made, the rider will receive a warning, along with tips from actual drivers on how to improve their conduct for future trips.This feedback will be delivered via email and presented as an in-app pop-up screen during the rider's next journey.
A new feature called "Record My Ride" is set to launch nationwide, allowing drivers to use their smartphone's front-facing camera to record video and audio during trips, adding an extra layer of security. These recordings are encrypted and stored directly on the driver’s device, accessible only to them unless submitted for review.
In addition to this feature, Uber is rolling out new safety technologies. Drivers with Teslas can now connect their car's display to the Uber app for easy navigation. iOS users can also take advantage of Siri for hands-free app control, and a new PIN verification system will help ensure drivers are picking up the correct rider.