Following its initial release in the US in September last year, ride-sharing titan Uber is introducing a unique security feature for its partner-drivers that makes use of ?selfies?.
Uber said its Real-Time ID Check initiative will be able to reduce fraud and help drivers protect their accounts from being compromised. The extra layer of protection, it said, can help ensure riders that the right person is behind the wheel.
Real-Time ID Check works in the following manner:
? Drivers are asked periodically to take a selfie in the Uber app before they go online and accept rides.
? The photo taken by the driver is then compared to the one already on file with the account.
? If the two photos don?t match, the account is temporarily blocked while Uber representatives will look into the situation.
?We at Uber are constantly looking for ways to strengthen our technology-enabled security features. We look into new solutions and test them to proactively use and maximize the capability of available technologies, and how these can be instrumental in our commitment to providing safe, reliable, and convenient rides,? said Uber Philippines general manager Laurence Cua.
Aside from the Philippines, Uber is rolling out the feature across 15 other countries — South Africa, Egypt, Russia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, India, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Pakistan.
