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Uber introduces live-streaming feature for parents during teen rides

The service uses drivers' rear-facing phone cameras and is expanding across the United States after testing in nine markets.

The short version

  • Uber is launching a feature allowing parents to watch a live video stream of their teenager's trip using the driver's rear-facing phone camera.
  • Drivers and teens receive notifications when a parent begins viewing the stream, and video access ends immediately when the ride concludes.
  • The option is currently being tested in nine U.S. cities and is scheduled to roll out nationwide over the coming weeks.

Key facts

  • Uber announced a new live-stream feature that uses a driver's rear-facing smartphone camera to let parents view their teenager's ride.[Business Insider]
  • Parents, teens, and drivers are notified when video viewing begins, and the stream cannot be accessed or saved after the ride ends.[Business Insider]
  • Initial testing covers nine locations: Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, Portland, San Antonio, Cleveland, El Paso, and Rhode Island.[Business Insider]
  • Uber launched dedicated teen accounts in 2023, which have logged tens of millions of trips to date.[Business Insider]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact date for the broader U.S. rollout remains unspecified beyond the company's timeline of 'over the coming weeks.'[Business Insider]

Sources