Commentators have speculated that facial recognition could help Uber meet the licencing shortfalls that could see it forced out of London.Last week, TFL announced it would not be renewing Uber's licence, citing concerns around its approach and conduct in relation to reporting serious offences, obtaining medical certificates and driver background checks.Digital Barriers, a UK based public safety company, believes their technology – already adopted by Careem, the largest ride-hailing service in the Middle East – has a part to play in improving Uber's passenger safety.Zak Doffman, CEO of Digital Barriers, said:”Transport for London's licensing decision on Uber has highlighted security concerns within the ride-sharing and broader shared economy. How do we assure ourselves of the identity and trustworthiness of those delivering or using services organised through smartphones or cloud-based applications? How do we know that the person who underwent the background checks is the same one turning up at our doorstep?”He said the firm's identifier service can be used in the driver enrolment process, to link the driver with their formal identification documents and to remove duplicate, false or black-listed identities.Last month in India, Uber launched a facial recognition ID approval system for drivers that will require them to take a selfie before accepting rides.
Could biometrics save Uber in London?
