Uber mask selfies are about to become a thing. Starting today, if a driver spots you without a mask, you may be required to take a selfie before being able to ride again.
Since May, Uber requires drivers and delivery workers to take mask selfies when signing on to the app. Starting today, riders may be required to do the same if spotted without a mask by a driver.
Related | LG Is Releasing A Wearable Air Purifier Mask
To date, Uber says that more than 3.5 million drivers and delivery workers have completed over 100 million face mask verification. Still, the ride-sharing company continues to struggle amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Uber drivers are doing everything possible to keep their car as a safe and virus-free environment. It’s only fair to ask riders to do the same. For now, Uber will not require mask selfies for all riders. But if a user is being reported by a driver for not wearing a mask, that rider will be required to take a mask selfie before using Uber again.
Uber also reiterated that both riders and drivers are free to cancel a trip, without penalty, if the other person is not wearing a mask. Uber notes that its technology detects the mask as an object in the photo and “does not process biometric information.”
“We firmly believe that accountability is a two-way street,” Sachin Kansal, Uber’s global head of safety, said in a blog post.
Uber mask selfies are rolling out to the US and Canada and in other countries towards the end of September.
Uber’s business is still struggling to recover from the effect of the pandemic. Gross bookings have fallen 73% year over year in the most recent quarter. In May the company had already announced a set of measures aimed at enhancing safety for its ride-sharing business. The number of people allowed to ride in an Uber X vehicle was brought down from four to three and the company vowed to invest $50 million on supplies for drivers such as face masks, hand sanitizer, and bleach wipes.
Meanwhile, gross bookings in its Uber Eats delivery business grew 113% year over year, thanks to increased demand for food deliveries.
You might also like
More from Lifestyle
The Simpsons: Ned Flanders’ Assassin Sneakers Comes To Life
RETRO Clothing brought the infamous Ned Flanders Assassin Sneakers to life, Homer style. If there is one pair of sneakers that …
Venmo Is Launching A Teen Account And Debit Card
Venmo, the digital wallet app, is introducing teen accounts, a new service allowing parents to open an account for children …
Beats Announces Beats Studio Buds+ Wireless Earbuds
Last week, Beats announced another addition to its Studio Buds lineup - the powerful Beats Studio Buds+.
Hublot Launched A Watch Made From Recycled Nespresso Pods
Hublot and Nespresso partnered to create the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin, a luxury watch made from recycled Nespresso pods. You …
Tinder Will Remove Social Profiles From Bios
Tinder says it will remove social profiles from bios as part of its updated community guidelines to keep the dating …
Adidas To Resume Selling Yeezys, Profits Will Go To Charity
Six months after dropping its partnership with Kanye, Adidas has chosen to sell its inventory of Yeezys, for charity. The news …
New Beats Studio Pro Headphones Revealed In iOS Beta
The new Beats Studio Pro headphones could replace the aging Studio 3, adding personalized spatial audio to the Beat's lineup. 9to5Mac …
This Burger King Spider-Verse Whopper Is WILD
Burger King has teamed up with the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie to create a special Whopper sandwich and Meal. Burger …
Apple Arcade Adds 20 New Games, Including Exclusive TMNT Splintered Fate
Apple Arcade is adding 20 new games, including the exclusive launch of TMNT Splintered Fate. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT) Splintered …