Taxi app Uber has introduced a new real-time ID check\u00a0safety feature to South Africa.<\/p>\n
The technology works by prompting driver-partners to share a selfie from time to time before going online. Uber then compares this image to the photograph already on file with the account.<\/p>\n
This is achieved through advanced facial recognition technology.<\/p>\n
The system first identifies a face, then it builds a feature set by focusing on key features, and finally compares the feature set to the validated image Uber has on file.<\/p>\n
If the two images don\u2019t match, the account is temporarily blocked while Uber looks into the situation. This helps Uber to ensure in real time that the driver-partner using the app matches the account it has on file.<\/p>\n
Real-time ID check assures riders that when they are picked up, the right person is behind the wheel. It also protects driver-partners from fraud, theft and risks to their account being compromised. Only the registered driver-partner can use and earn a profit from the app.<\/p>\n
Uber Sub-Saharan Africa MD,\u00a0Alon Lits, said: \u201cIt is important to us that this extra security feature does not inconvenience driver-partners. For this reason, we focused on making the user experience as simple as possible from the beginning of the project, testing it on driver-partners around the world to ensure it is a simple, effective and quick experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
While visual recognition has existed for a while, this is the first time it has been applied on such a scale to enhance security for both driver-partners and riders. Real-Time ID Check is a phased roll out and not all driver-partners will see this right away.<\/p>\n