Uber announced this week it will be expanding its rider verification program across the U.S. starting Sept. 18. The expansion has been inspired by several incidents over the last year where drivers have been assaulted and even kidnapped.
In response, the company began testing a more vigorous verification feature as part of a new campaign to protect both parties during a ride.
The feature will cross-check the information in a rider’s account “against trusted third-party databases.” A customer can upload an image of a government-issued ID, passport or other official documentation to the app. If everything goes well, users will receive a verified badge to include a positive blue checkmark on their account.
Uber stated it is taking this action to decrease “fraudulent behavior” and give everyone involved a peace of mind. The rider verification program is optional, though unverified customers could experience “longer ETAs and pickup times,” said Uber.
Uber also stated it plans to add several additional safety features to its app.
They plan to roll out “Record My Ride” nationwide. The feature allows drivers to use “the camera on their smartphone to record video and audio during trips.” Every recording will be stored, and no one can look at the footage unless the driver sends it to Uber for review.
Drivers will also have the option to turn on a “PIN verification” so they can confirm the person they’re picking up is correct. Customers may also receive warnings if a driver reports them for “rude or inappropriate behavior.”
Uber’s rival Lyft plans to roll out a similar rider verification program, though the feature is still in its early stages.