Uber Requires New Identity Verification to Ensure Drivers Safety

CHICAGO— Popular ride-hailing service Uber announced a new verification system for riders in light of a recent rise in carjackings in the Chicago area.

The verification program would only be necessary for riders using payment methods such as prepaid debit cards, gift cards or Venmo, since those forms of payment are anonymous.

Beginning Friday, riders who set up an account with any form of anonymous payment will be required to upload a driver's license, state ID or passport before booking their ride.

According to a statement from Uber, the process also applies to UberEats food delivery service.

"Safety is our priority for both riders and drivers," said Sachin Kansal, vice president of product management at Uber. "We believe this new feature will help hold riders using anonymous forms of payment accountable."

According to a survey by the Chicago branch of the Independent Drivers Guild, Chicago has seen nearly 40 carjackings of ride-share drivers since October. Many Uber employees in a Facebook support group for Chicago-based drivers stopped driving or taking rides at nighttime after Uber driver Javier Ramos was shot and killed by a passenger during a carjacking last month.

According to a spokesperson from Uber, the company has been working with Chicago police on "multiple" investigations to help them identify suspects. The new identity verification system was even developed with direct input from current drivers, the spokesperson said.

For some Uber drivers, however, the increased safety measures don't ease their concerns. An Uber driver, who asked that he not be named, said passengers often use nicknames and don't upload current photos of themselves.

"When they do upload pictures it’s like thumbnail size and you barely make out what they look like," the Uber driver said. "So most of the time you have no idea who’s getting into your car."

Ride-share drivers have already suffered a loss in business during the COVID-19 pandemic, with stay-at-home orders decreasing the amount of regular commuters and travelers. Even with increased cleaning and health precautions, many still aren't comfortable being in an enclosed vehicle.

According to a statement obtained by The Chicago Tribune from a spokesperson for the city's Department of Business Affairs, there were 75,000 ride-share drivers registered to work in Chicago as of last summer.

In addition to ensuring safer rides, Uber is also temporarily boosting the hourly rate for part-time to full-time drivers by nearly $5 to about $33 an hour. The increased pay is part of a $250 million incentive package to meet the rising demand for drivers in Chicago.