Popular ride-sharing app Uber is rolling out new verification measures for riders in the US from tomorrow (Sept. 18).

The company has implemented various measures over the years to make the system safer, but features like audio recordings often prioritize riders over drivers.

This voluntary verification process is now specifically targeting driver safety. Riders will now have the option to prove that they are who they say they are.

How to get Uber rider verification

To receive Uber’s new blue tick verification badge, riders’ names and phone numbers need to be cross-checked with third-party databases to prove that they are who they claim to be.

If this can’t be validated, then users will have the option to upload their ID (including passport and driver’s license) to the app to verify their identity. Uber promises that this information will be stored securely and only their blue tick will be shown to drivers.

The aim of this is to prevent drivers from getting scammed. The company’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed today that Uber had banned around 15,000 riders for fake or inappropriate names.

He also said that the rider verification system that been trialled in various US cities earlier this year.

“In those pilot markets, the majority of riders are verified, and they tend to give drivers 5 stars more often,” Khosrowshahi said.

“Riders who are verified also get fewer serious complaints from drivers.”

Other new features announced today include the nationwide rollout of Record My Ride. This lets drivers use their smartphone camera to record audio and video when driving so they don’t need to buy a dashcam.

Just like rider verification, Record My Ride saw a successful pilot trial and will now be available all over the country. Recordings will only be accessed if the driver chooses to submit it to Uber for a review.

Featured Image: Photo by Mira Kireeva on Unsplash 

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