# Safeguarding Ride-Hailing Services with Biometric Recognition Solutions

The evolution of the ride-hailing industry is changing the way people travel inter- as well as intra-regions. Cab-sharing options help different riders split bills while saving costs on their end. However, the increase in security threats is haunting individuals and stakeholders. Different drivers appearing, changes of routes, dissimilar number plates, and other such instances compromise riders’ security.
The ride-hailing industry is forecasted to reach a value of $230 billion by 2026. Therefore, to provide a secure travelling experience, these companies need to integrate [[biometric recognition](https://shuftipro.com/blog/biometric-authentication-use-cases-and-advantages/)] solutions within their systems. This will help verify drivers’ identities while keeping track of their activities. Read on to learn why biometric user authentication has become a must-have for rise-hailing operators.
### Biometric Identity Checks Enrolls, Verifies, and Tracks Drivers
Using someone else’s cab to earn a specific share of the money has become commonplace in the ride-hailing industry. However, ensuring the replacing person does not have any criminal intent is hard to tell. For this very reason, the transport regulatory authority in London banned Uber from operating within the region. Similarly, shortcomings within the software systems threaten security of passengers which can bring adverse effects.
Ride-hailing companies need efficient biometric screening solutions to identify drivers before they accept a ride and move toward drop-off locations. Individuals from around the globe have protested various times against security threats during carpooling. This is forcing regulators to take more strict actions against these service providers. Therefore, ride-hailing companies should integrate biometric ID verification solutions for ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
AI-powered biometric recognition solutions enable carpooling operators to validate individuals before they take a route while providing riders with complete information about drivers before entering their ride. Ultimately, they can prevent harassment cases, murder risks, and other such threats.
Drivers’ Facial Verification Made Mandatory by Uber
Uber has been in contraction regarding introducing biometric security and background checks. As regulatory bodies are advising the majority of industries to integrate AI technology into their software, this ride-hailing company was seen in conflict while resisting such technological changes.
Uber officials argued that their driver background verification is adequate to ensure the security of riders.
To mitigate legal proceedings and hefty penalties, Uber integrated facial biometric user authentication systems to validate individuals and their identity claims of who they are. The process includes asking drivers to click and upload a real-time selfie through their cell phones before accepting any request. Moreover, to further ensure security and prevent unauthorised persons from driving a car, Uber then compares images within their records.
Careem Uses Biometrics for Driver Enrollment
Careem is a leading carpooling company with operations across fifty countries, including the Middle East and North Africa. Due to system and riders’ security threats, Careem is integrating biometric recognition services into their drivers’ cellphones. Therefore, this operator can enhance safety of their riders while keeping convenience intact. AI-powered biometric ID verification provides real-time identification of drivers while tracing their activities in the background.
Careem is incorporating biometric security checks to safeguard its driver enrolment process against fraudsters’ access. While booking a ride, passengers vest their trust in the carpooling providers’ services. To retain a positive customer relationship and competitive edge in the market, Careem is investing more in transforming its driver verification process through biometric screening.
Quantifying Benefits of Biometric ID Verification for Car-Pooling Operators
Carpooling operators such as Uber, Lyft, Careem, and many others are falling under strict regulatory scrutiny due to fraud risks. Criminals either opt for car sharing or impersonate owners of vehicles to carry out malicious activities such as kidnapping. Therefore, to identify fraud risks while providing riders with more security and staying put with regulatory standards, ride-hailing operators are integrating biometric screening solutions.
ogy, AI-powered IDV services verify by using mathematical algorithms. After uploading a real-time selfie, the system maps features such as nose, eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Facial feature verification provides instant results by cross-matching the drivers’ identities. More benefits of biometric recognition solutions include:
Families use carpooling apps for safely transporting their children from or to schools. Biometric security systems help parents verify and track the driver of cars their kids are using.
Biometric screening helps ride-hailing companies strengthen their relationship with customers. By assuring riders that the driver is under continuous monitoring, carpooling operators can retain individuals’ trust.
### In a Nutshell
The ban on Uber and legal proceedings faced by other ride-hailing operators is bringing reputational and financial loss for respective companies. Therefore, carpooling service providers require biometric recognition solutions to verify drivers while assuring riders that a sophisticated system is monitoring their travel. This way, ride-hailing operators can enhance security and stay in line with regulatory guidelines.