Uber Malaysia To Add Ride Security By Using Selfies. Umm, What?

We've heard plenty of horror stories involving ride-sharing apps in Malaysia, so Uber Malaysia is all set to put a stop to that with their brand new security feature.

TheSun reports that the popular ride-sharing app has, on Monday, introduced a facial recognition feature called Real-Time ID Check to ensure the driver using the app matches the account in Uber’s records.

How this Real-Time ID Check feature works is, Uber drivers have to periodically upload clear, well-lit selfies of themselves onto the app before they are able to accept rides.

If the selfie does not match the one in Uber's database, the driver's account will reportedly be banned temporarily until Uber completes its investigation.

The feature will also prompt the drivers if the picture is unclear, or if the app could not properly capture the driver's face.

So, in other words, if your face got problem, you no go.

Image: First Post

This safety feature will ensure that the drivers' accounts are not compromised, and also protects riders by building an extra layer of accountability, according to the company.

“This is one of the ways to make our rides more safe and reliable,” Uber Malaysia's communications head Leigh Wong told the daily.

The safety feature, which uses Microsoft’s Cognitive Services, was first introduced in China back in April 2016 and has since gradually rolled out to the rest of the world.