Uber responds to recent scandals by announcing 4 key safety measures
Ride-sharing service Uber have responded to incidents of driver misconduct by drafting measures for improved safety in the future.
On Dec 5, Uber's riding sharing service was banned in Delhi, India, after one of its drivers allegedly raped a 27-year-old woman.
Uber also drew flak for attempting to profit from the Sydney cafe hostage crisis by charging four times the regular fare to leave Sydney’s central business district.
In a blog post from Phillip Cardenas, Uber’s global security head, the company has planned to take four major steps in strengthening safety measures following a global safety review.
1. New technology
The company plans to implement biometrics and voice verification to enhance driver screening.
Cardenas said that his safety teams are also looking at ways for riders to instantly communicate with the company and their loved ones for emergency purposes.
2. Background screening
Using "scientific analysis and technology", Cardenas said that Uber is examining new means of screening drivers globally after describing that background checks outside the US "varied significantly".
3. Improved service and support
Uber aims to build "Safety Incident Response teams" worldwide that offer 24-hour support for safety-related incidents.
The company also announced the signing of former Amazon executive Tim Collins, to lead global support.
4. New partnerships
Cardenas said that Uber "will be be working with partners that have deep expertise in issues like women’s safety, conflict resolution, and road safety and incorporate their counsel into our global safety roadmap."
Towards the end of the post, he added: "no background check can predict future behavior and no technology can yet fully prevent bad actions. But our responsibility is to leverage every smart tool at our disposal to set the highest standard in safety we can."
Source: TIME, Uber blog
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Uber taxi driver allegedly rapes woman in India
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