Uber Launches Selfie Powered Real-Time ID Check For Enhanced Security

Uber has come up with Real-Time ID Check, its latest security feature which uses Microsoft Cognitive Services to protect both riders and drivers.

In this feature, Drivers are asked periodically to take a selfie in the Uber app before they accept rides. Uber then uses Microsoft’s Cognitive Services to compare this selfie photo to the one corresponding with the account on file. If the two photos don’t match, the driver’s account is temporarily blocked while Uber looks into the situation.

The feature, which has been released in five cities in India, starting with New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata, saw its pilot during the US rollout last year.

Uber claims that the average verification time is just a few seconds and the technology was successful in verifying more than 99 percent of drivers in the pilot program.

“Real-Time ID Check prompts drivers to share a selfie before going online to help ensure the driver using the app matches the account we have on file. This prevents fraud and protects drivers’ accounts from being compromised.” said Joe Sullivan, Chief Security Officer, UberAlso read: Alibaba Group Invests in WayRay, a Developer of AR-Enabled Car Navigation And Infotainment System