My Uber driver recently asked for my PIN. Half asleep, I stared at him in alarm for a few seconds before I realized: he was asking me to share the PIN that Uber sent so I could verify it my ride.
It turns out that I had enabled all of Uber’s safety features when I wrote about Uber’s new safety customization section last month, and then completely forgot about their existence – which, to be honest, is pretty easy. Uber’s safety tools are hidden under settings in the Uber app and less visible than all of its many services and even the emissions reduction feature (yes, that’s a thing).
This is a real shame because as a single female caregiver who frequently drives Ubers and has experienced harassment, I’m starting to appreciate the added sense of security. And considering that Uber received 9,805 reports of sexual assault on its rides between 2017 and 2020, according to its most recent safety report, I think they can help a lot of people too.
Some of these tools I already knew about, and you’ve probably heard of them too, like ShareMyTrip, which lets you send live location and trip details to people you trust. But did you know that you can also record your rides? The recording is encrypted and you can’t listen to it – nor can your driver – but Uber can and will if you file a safety report. What’s even cooler is that you can customize these features depending on the time and place. For example, you can choose to have PIN verification or audio recording enabled for all trips after 9 p.m. and/or whenever you are within 50 meters of bars.
These features are not easy to find. But luckily, Uber makes it pretty easy to turn them all on in just five steps. Here’s how:
1/5
- First, click in your Uber app Account Click on the tab at the very bottom right of your screen.
- After selection Settingsscroll down to Security Section.
- Go over to Security preferences To Start by adding your security tool preferences. (Note that some people may see it and need to click on it Start the setup first, before doing it as I originally did.)
- You will then be presented with a page with four security features that you can enable: Get more security check-ins; Use PIN verification; Record sound; And Share travel status.
- On the same page, scroll down to Time schedule. There you can set timetables for all, some or no trips. By clicking on some rides, Uber also lets you choose between late evening rides (9:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.), within 50 meters of a bar or restaurant, and/or on weekends
You can also customize safety tools while driving by clicking Security toolkit blue shield and select Set up security settings. Even better, Uber offers additional safety features during the ride (which are only visible when you join the ride), such as: Text 911, which sends a pre-written text with information about the trip, vehicle and location to the emergency call center. There are also Life supporta feature Uber developed in collaboration with security company ADT that allows riders and drivers to speak with security officers via text or call while driving until they feel safe.
Honestly, I wish Uber would offer more safety tools and customization options. Why just stop at bars and restaurants? Why not in other places, for example at airports, where a person is? did I’m actually trying to steal my Uber ride late at night? Or take a leaf from Lyft’s book and automatically match female/non-binary drivers and passengers more often!
I also wish that some features, such as B. audio recording, would be automatically activated by default, while functions such as PIN verification could be deactivated manually afterwards. After all, buses have security cameras on at all times, and I know that in the past this would have given me and my loved ones – male, female and non-binary Uber drivers and passengers alike – the opportunity to report harassment during rides. Heck, it would probably help prevent crime in the first place. Who knows – maybe automatic PIN verification could have saved Loletha Hall from being shot by an 81-year-old who thought she was a fraudster.
But for now I think something is better than nothing. Hopefully, Uber will continue to work to make its rides safer. Until then, the best we can do is take our security into our own hands and work within the narrow confines of Uber’s existing toolset.