While a city council in Austin, Texas this week approved an ordinance that creates a voluntary fingerprint background check for app-based taxi firms such as Uber and Lyft, an Australian firm is proposing a solution that uses facial recognition for identity checks.On Thursday, Austin City Council voted 7-4 to approve an ordinance that created a voluntary fingerprint background check permit program.In the city this week, Mayor Steve Adler demoed a new biometric app he's calling 'Thumbs Up' might work. The app could be downloaded to a smart phone and includes several steps to enter information, take a photo and enter fingerprints into a system.According to Adler, the plan is to have Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) place a Thumbs Up badge on the profile of drivers in their own apps who are approved through the program.The mayor said he wants to make fingerprint background checks optional so Uber and Lyft don't follow through on their threats to leave Austin.Meanwhile, across the world in South Australia, NetCABS has launched itself as an “an innovative digital, smartphone and web-based vehicle booking and dispatch services platform” that promises cheaper fares, increased operating efficiency and “unprecedented” safety features.The transport platform's booking app Oiii, which features a digital meter and GPS tracking technology, will also use driver facial recognition as part of the identification process.

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