Uber debuts verification program in Portland to confirm riders’ identities

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Uber is rolling out a program that will help drivers ensure the identity of their passengers.

The leading ride-share app launched its rider verification pilot program on Thursday in Portland and a few other major cities, including Chicago, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

Under the new program, the app will confirm account details such as names and phone numbers by using a third-party database.

Most accounts will become verified without further action needed from passengers. But in other cases, people will need to upload government-issued identification like a driver’s license or passport to see a “verified” badge on their profile.

According to the app, drivers will see the badge before they decide to accept a ride, but verification data and ID documents are “securely” stored. Drivers will also see a passenger’s first name, star rating and ride information.

Uber said this program is a result of drivers wanting to know more about who is riding in their vehicle.

“Strengthening rider verification has been a top request from drivers across the country,” Uber Head of Safety Roger Kaiser said in a statement. “This new verification process and verified rider badge are important steps to help provide drivers with more peace of mind while they are out on the road. We are committed to making Uber an even safer and more trusted place to ride and drive, and we look forward to hearing feedback on this pilot from users.”

Some Uber users have already received notifications about the new program. Others should expect to learn more via email or in the app in the upcoming weeks.

Uber has already implemented other safety features such as in-app audio recordings and an emergency button that connects riders to authorities. The company also freezes accounts that use fake names.

For drivers, the app periodically checks their driving and criminal history.

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