Skip to main content
ComputingMobileGamingEntertainmentAudio / VideoYouTube
    • See All Computing
    • Trending Topics
      • Laptops
      • Software
      • PC Gaming
      • Graphics Cards
      • Artificial Intelligence
    • Trending Guides
      • ChatGPT
      • What is a Chromebook?
      • How to Choose a Laptop
      • Windows 11 vs Windows 10
      • Download YouTube Videos
    • Trending Reviews
      • RTX 4070 Review
      • LG Gram Style Review
      • Razer Blade 15 Review
      • Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Review
      • Mac Mini (M2 Pro) Review
    • Browse by Type
      • Computing News
      • Computing Guides
      • Computing Features
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Deals
    • See All Mobile
    • Trending Topics
      • 5G
      • Apps
      • iPhone
      • Android
      • Wearables
    • Trending Guides
      • What is 5G?
      • How to Unlock a Phone
      • How to Stop Spam Calls
      • How to Use WhatsApp Web
      • Share a Wi-Fi Password on iPhone
    • Trending Reviews
      • iPhone 14 Review
      • Google Pixel Fold Review
      • Apple Watch Ultra Review
      • Google Pixel Watch Review
      • Samsung Galaxy S23 Review
    • Browse by Type
      • Mobile News
      • Mobile Guides
      • Mobile Features
      • Mobile Reviews
      • Mobile Deals
    • See All Gaming
    • Trending Topics
      • Xbox
      • PlayStation
      • PC Gaming
      • Cloud Gaming
      • Nintendo Switch
    • Trending Guides
      • Wordle Today
      • Xbox Series X vs PS5
      • Upcoming PS5 Games
      • All Cross-Platform Games
      • Upcoming Switch Games
    • Trending Games
      • Fortnite
      • Resident Evil
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Hogwarts Legacy
      • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
    • Browse by Type
      • Gaming News
      • Gaming Guides
      • Gaming Features
      • Gaming Reviews
      • Gaming Deals
    • See All Entertainment
    • Trending Topics
      • Sci-Fi
      • Action
      • Marvel
      • Fantasy
      • DC Comics
    • Trending Guides
      • Best New Movies
      • Best New Shows
      • Best Shows on Netflix
      • Best Movies on Netflix
      • Best Shows on Disney Plus
    • ‎What to Watch
      • Best Movies on Disney Plus
      • Best Shows on Amazon Prime
      • Best Movies on Amazon Prime
      • Most Popular Movies on Netflix
      • See All Streaming Guides
    • Browse by Type
      • Entertainment News
      • Entertainment Guides
      • Entertainment Features
      • Entertainment Reviews
      • Entertainment Deals
    • See All Audio / Video
    • Trending Topics
      • TV
      • Speakers
      • Soundbars
      • Headphones
      • Streaming Services
    • Trending Guides
      • FuboTV
      • Sling TV
      • YouTube TV
      • QLED vs OLED
      • What is Sonos?
    • Trending Reviews
      • Sonos Era 100 Review
      • Sonos Era 300 Review
      • LG G3 OLED TV Review
      • Apple TV 4K (2022) Review
      • Roku Plus Series TV Review
    • Browse by Type
      • Audio / Video News
      • Audio / Video Guides
      • Audio / Video Features
      • Audio / Video Reviews
      • Audio / Video Deals
    • See All Smart Home
    • Trending Topics
      • Google Nest
      • Amazon Alexa
      • Home Security
      • Video Doorbell
      • Robot Vacuums
    • Trending Guides
      • What is a Smart Lock?
      • What is Google Home?
      • What is Amazon Alexa?
      • Best Outdoor Security Cameras
    • Trending Reviews
      • Roborock S7 Max Ultra Review
      • Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni Review
      • Ring Spotlight Cam Pro review
      • Amazon Echo Show 5 Review
      • Apple HomePod Review
    • Browse by Type
      • Smart Home News
      • Smart Home Guides
      • Smart Home Features
      • Smart Home Reviews
      • Smart Home Deals
    • See All Cars
    • Trending Reviews
      • Toyota Prius Prime Review
      • Lexus RZ 450e Review
      • Mercedes EQE AMG SUV Review
      • BMW XM Review
      • Hyundai Ioniq 6 Review
    • Trending Guides
      • NACS charging
      • EV tax credits
      • Best Level 2 EV chargers
      • Rivian R2 SUV
      • Volvo EX90 SUV
    • Browse by Type
      • Car News
      • Car Guides
      • Car Features
      • Car Reviews
      • Car Deals
    • See All Best Products
    • Best Computing Products
      • Best Laptops
      • Best Chromebooks
      • Best Graphics Cards
      • Best Gaming Laptops
      • Best Desktop Computer
    • Best Mobile Products
      • Best Phones
      • Best Tablets
      • Best Smartwatches
      • Best Fitness Trackers
      • Best Samsung Phones
    • Best Audio / Video Products
      • Best TVs
      • Best Speakers
      • Best Projectors
      • Best Soundbars
      • Best Headphones
    • Best Video Games
      • Best Mac Games
      • Best PS5 Games
      • Best Games on PS Plus
      • Best Xbox Series X Games
      • Best Nintendo Switch Games
    • See All Reviews
    • Computing Reviews
      • Mac Reviews
      • Printer Reviews
      • Laptop Reviews
      • Monitor Reviews
      • Desktop Reviews
    • Mobile Reviews
      • Phone Reviews
      • Tablet Reviews
      • Smartwatch Reviews
      • Fitness Tracker Reviews
      • iPhone and iPad Reviews
    • Audio / Video Reviews
      • TV Reviews
      • Speaker Reviews
      • Soundbar Reviews
      • Headphone Reviews
      • Media Streamer Reviews
    • More Reviews
      • Game Reviews
      • Movie and TV Show Reviews
      • Smart Home Reviews
      • Power Station Reviews
      • eBike Reviews
  • News
    • Brands
      • Dell
      • Apple
      • Google
      • Samsung
      • Microsoft
    • Deals
      • TV Deals
      • Phone Deals
      • Laptop Deals
      • Gaming PC Deals
      • See All Tech Deals
    • Original Series
      • ReSpec
      • Life on Mars
      • Genius Home
      • Tech for Change
      • See All Original Series
    • More Topics
      • Space
      • Outdoors
      • Portable Power Stations
      • Versus
      • Business
      • See All Topics
  • YouTube
  • Trending:
  • Best Phones
  • Google Pixel 8
  • Best Tablets
  • Tesla Phone
  • Download Android 14
  • Best Android Phones
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Uber is stepping up its game on passenger safety features

Lulu Chang
By Lulu Chang April 12, 2018
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Uber is taking a closer look at its passenger safety features and working to improve its previously sparse set of tools. On Thursday, April 12, the transportation giant announced “several new improvements to double down on safety” in the app, including a plan to improve its screening process for drivers and the hire of a new “powerhouse adviser” in order to ensure a safe future for both Uber and its customers.

“Every day, our technology puts millions of people together in cars in cities around the world,” wrote CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a blog post. “Helping keep people safe is a huge responsibility, and one we do not take lightly. That’s why as CEO, I’m committed to putting safety at the core of everything we do.”

Recommended Videos

So what exactly can we expect to see? In addition to existing safety features like Share My Trip (which will be made easier to find), Uber is adding a new Safety Center, which is described as a “dedicated place in the app” where passengers can learn about key safety information. You’ll be able to find content on Uber’s built-in partnership with law enforcement, their driver screening processes, insurance protections, and community guidelines.

Related
  • Uber says it’s investigating ‘cybersecurity incident’
  • Snapchat now offers a real-time location-sharing feature
  • Lenovo tweaks design and powers up its excellent Legion 5 Pro gaming laptops

Uber is also allowing passengers to designate up to five friends and family members as their Trusted Contacts. Each time you hop in an Uber, you’ll be encouraged to share your trip details so that someone always knows where you are. That said, if you’re constantly in Ubers and don’t want to inundate your loved ones with notifications about your travel schedule, you can also elect to only share your trip during evening rides.

The Uber app will also soon include a 911 emergency button that will connect you directly with first responders. This feature will also show your real-time location in the app as both an address and an image on a map, so that you can easily share it with the 911 operator. The same feature will also be made available for drivers. Uber is also partnering with RapidSOS and the National Emergency Number Association in order to explore faster response times and improving 911 call routing.

On the driver side, Uber is looking to “increase due diligence to strengthen [its] screening process.” Moving forward, the company says that it will “proactively rerun criminal and motor vehicle checks each year.” Moreover, Uber has pledged to keep a close eye on its drivers’ criminal records. “Using data sources that cover most new criminal offenses, we will receive notifications when a driver is involved and leverage this information to help continuously enforce our screening standards,” Khosrowshahi wrote. 

And finally, the company is expanding its Safety Advisory Board with Jeh Johnson, the former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. In his new capacity, Johnson will serve as the Chairman of that board, which is already comprised of law enforcement, road safety, criminal justice, sexual assault, and domestic violence prevention experts.

Editors' Recommendations

  • The Pixel Watch just got an important safety feature it’s been missing for months
  • Latest iOS 16 beta addresses rising safety concerns for message editing
  • Uber riders, dare to peek at this new data on the ridesharing app?
  • WhatsApp upgrades its disappearing messages feature
  • WhatsApp finally enables its long-awaited multidevice feature for certain users
Topics
  • Cars
  • News
  • Tech News
Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
facebook twitter Email
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
  • Mobile
The iPhone could soon pick up a car crash detection feature that can dial 911
The Apple Watch's Fall Detection Feature.

Apple is reportedly adding an automatic car crash detection feature to the iPhone and Apple Watch, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The feature will debut early next year, likely with iOS 16.

The report claims that Apple will work on using the sensors present in both the iPhone and Apple Watch to detect "a sudden spike in gravity," the same way Apple's Watch works at the moment for fall detection. There are no details on how it would be implemented, but likely a notification will pop up, and if the user does not respond to a notification in a timely manner, then the phone will automatically dial 911 or other emergency services. This is how the Apple Watch's fall detection feature functions.

Read more
  • Mobile
WhatsApp is fixing one of its most annoying features
WhatsApp

Any WhatsApp user can tell you that one of their biggest frustrations with the app is the extent it is tied to your phone. Until now, any time you set up a WhatsApp account, even if it’s on a desktop or iPad, you’re essentially still routing everything through your phone, preventing you from operating multiple independent secondary devices.

That’s all changing with WhatsApp’s new public beta. The rollout is limited, but it brings multi-device capability to the table, letting you use WhatsApp on your phone and up to four other non-phone devices at the same time. And the key part -- this works even if your phone battery is dead because each device is connected to WhatsApp independently. This allows you to make a video call on one device while still browsing on your phone or checking your messages on a PC.

Read more
  • Mobile
What is Citizen? The safety app explained
Atlanta Protest Held In Response To Police Custody Death Of Minneapolis Man George Floyd

With so much going on in the news lately, more of us than ever before want to get the real story on what's happening in our cities, while ensuring we stay safe. News apps are great, but when it comes to staying safe and informed, we need something more immediate. Step up Citizen, an app that's designed to provide you with real-time safety alerts and instant access to verified 911 information, keeping you and your loved ones situationally aware and safe. With more than 234,000 downloads since May 25, 2020, and over 7 million users, Citizen's popularity is growing, with many people using it to check police presence and ensure safety at protests and demonstrations in their city.

If you've found yourself wondering, "What is the Citizen app?" or are curious about what it can do and how to use it, read through our guide as we take a look at some of the app's most useful features and show you how to get started.
What is the Citizen app?

Read more

Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Mobile
  • Computing
  • Gaming
  • Audio / Video
  • Smart Home
  • Entertainment
  • Automotive
  • Space
  • Streaming Guides
  • Original Shows
  • Downloads
  • How-To
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Logo & Accolade Licensing
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter
  • Sponsored Content
  • Digital Trends Wallpapers
  • Digital Trends in Spanish
Digital Trends Media Group
  • Portland
  • New York
  • Chicago
  • Detroit
  • Los Angeles
  • Toronto
  • Careers
  • Advertise With Us
  • Work With Us
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Information
  • Manage cookie preferences
  • Press Room
  • Sitemap
Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
©2023 Digital Trends Media Group, a Designtechnica Company. All rights reserved.