Uber has just released a new security feature on its app called the Real-Time ID Check which uses Microsoft Cognitive Services to protect both Uber riders and drivers.
Real-Time ID Check prompts drivers to take a selfie before going online to help ensure the driver using the app matches the account Uber have on file. This prevents fraud and protects drivers’ accounts from being compromised. It also protects riders by building another layer of accountability into the app to ensure the right person is behind the wheel.
So here’s how it works.
Drivers are asked periodically to take a selfie in the Uber app before they accept rides. Uber will then use Microsoft’s Cognitive Services to instantly compare this photo to the one corresponding with the account on file. If the two photos don’t match, the account will be temporarily blocked.
During the company’s pilot of Real-Time ID Check over the past few months in the US, the majority of mismatches were due to unclear profile photos. And more than 99% of drivers were ultimately verified. Given that verification takes only a few seconds to complete, this feature proactively and efficiently builds more security into the app.
For safety, the app will request driver-partners to pull over in order to take a selfie. The app will also help driver-partners to submit a proper photo and let them know instantly if they can’t detect a face or if the photo quality is poor.
Source: Uber
