Uber Launches Live Video Monitoring for Teen Rides via Driver Selfie Cameras

Uber is introducing a new feature that enables parents and guardians to view live video from drivers' selfie cameras while their teenagers are on rides. This announcement was made on Tuesday and is designed to improve safety monitoring for young riders. Parents linked to the teen's account will receive a notification when the ride starts, indicating that live video is available. The livestream stops automatically at the end of the trip. While only linked parents can view the feed, other passengers cannot decline to be recorded. After the ride, the video is no longer accessible, but Uber keeps an encrypted copy for 14 days unless a safety report is filed, which may extend the retention period. The company launched teen accounts in 2023, allowing parents to create family profiles to oversee rides. The feature is set to become available nationwide in the U.S. in the upcoming weeks. Drivers accepting teen passengers are required to briefly activate their selfie cameras, and both the teen and driver are informed when a parent starts watching. Uber has not specified if the footage is end-to-end encrypted, suggesting the possibility of Uber accessing it. The company claims it can only use a decryption key for investigation purposes. This update raises privacy issues, particularly since other passengers cannot opt out of being recorded.